Water as a Source of Student’s Energy and Focus: Mandwanga Secondary School Story

Happiness begins with clean and safe water at Mandwanga Secondary School

The Struggle Before Water

Mandwanga Secondary School in Mtama District Council in Lindi Region, with a total of 157 students, 66 boys and 91 girls, once faced severe challenges due to the absence of clean and safe water. Teachers and students struggled not only with hygiene but also with hunger. Cooking meals was a daily challenge because water was scarce. Students had to fetch water from shallow wells that collected runoff rainwater and when those wells dried up, they walked two kilometers to valleys to collect water. This exhausting routine consumed precious study hours, and left learners drained before they even entered the classroom. At times water was completely unavailable, forcing the school to suspend cooking altogether. Hungry students could not stay long in class and often returned home early, their education cut short by basic needs. This compromised completion of syllabus and learning outcomes.

A Turning Point

Everything changed when DMDO with funding from the Grille Foundation brought clean and safe water directly to the school. With abundant water flowing, the kitchen came alive. Meals could be prepared daily without interruption, dishes were washed clean and drinking water was readily available. For the first time, Mandwanga Secondary became a place where nourishment and education went hand in hand.

Water made these meals possible at Mandwanga Secondary School

The Impact on Learning

The impact was immediate and profound. Students who once struggled to focus now entered classrooms energized and ready to learn. Teachers noticed sharper attention, greater participation and improved performance. Hunger is no longer stealing their future, food and water have restored respect, strength and dreams. With reliable meals, students now stay at school until 5 p.m., fully using the learning hours. Education is no longer hindered by the lack of water and food, and the ripple effect is clear. When children are fed, they dream bigger, learn better and build brighter futures.

Voices of the Students

The students of Mandwanga Secondary School are deeply grateful. They recall the hardships of the past when preparing meals was a struggle because water had to be fetched from home or nearby valleys.

Bizena smiles as she enjoys receiving her meal at School

“Before water was brought to our school, we carried water from home or fetched it from valleys. We were exhausted, but now with water available at school we no longer struggle. Meals are cooked daily and water is always accessible.” Bizena Mussa, form three student

Zena Rashid, a form four student: “After water was brought to our school, now we cook, we drink safe water and we study without stress. In the past when the water challenge worsened we had to go home early because we did not cook at school. But now we stay studying until 5 p.m.”

Zena collecting water from the school tap

A Brighter Path Forward

Clean and safe water has proven to be a turning point at Mandwanga Secondary School, revitalizing classrooms, empowering learners and laying the foundation for generations to thrive. Together, we can remove these barriers and ensure that every child has the chance to learn.