Restoring Access to Clean Drinking Water for 100 Students in Kegalle District

Across rural parts of Sri Lanka, access to clean and reliable drinking water remains a daily challenge, particularly for under resourced schools serving plantation and low income communities. In these settings, the absence of safe water directly affects children’s health, hygiene, and ability to learn.

In the Kegalle District of Sri Lanka’s Sabaragamuwa Province, Golindha Tamil Kanishta Vidyalayam is one such school facing long standing water access challenges. Serving a vulnerable rural community, the school had no reliable source of clean drinking water, placing students at risk of waterborne illness and making basic hygiene practices difficult to maintain.

Recognising the urgent need for intervention, Vanni Hope implemented a targeted drinking water facilities project to provide a sustainable solution for the school community.

School and Community Context

Golindha Tamil Kanishta Vidyalayam is located in the Kegalle Educational Zone and serves approximately 100 students, many of whom come from plantation worker families and households dependent on daily wage labour and small-scale farming.

The wider community has been heavily affected by Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic crisis, which has further limited families’ ability to meet basic needs such as food, healthcare, and education related expenses. Within this context, the lack of a safe water source at the school placed additional strain on students and teachers, affecting attendance, wellbeing, and daily school functioning

Identifying the Water Access Challenge

Prior to implementation, Vanni Hope conducted field level assessments and consultations with school representatives to understand the scale and impact of the problem. These assessments confirmed that the school did not have access to clean drinking water, forcing students to rely on unsafe or inconsistent sources.

The absence of proper water infrastructure limited the school’s ability to promote handwashing and sanitation, increasing health risks and contributing to absenteeism. For younger students in particular, the lack of water during school hours created daily hardships that undermined learning and wellbeing.

Implementing a Sustainable Water Solution

Based on assessment findings, Vanni Hope designed a project centred on the installation of a tube well water system to provide safe and reliable drinking water for the school.

Key activities included:

• Data collection and needs assessments at the school level
• Consultation with relevant stakeholders and technical personnel
• Procurement and installation of tube well infrastructure and fittings
• Organisation of a formal handover to the school community

This project was implemented with the oversight from the Vanni Hope team to ensure quality, safety, and alignment with local needs. To ensure lasting impact beyond installation, the project incorporated a sustainability plan focused on community ownership and maintenance. School staff and community members were engaged throughout the process to foster responsibility for the system’s upkeep.

A local water committee was proposed to oversee daily management and basic maintenance, with training provided on hygiene practices, system care, and minor repairs. These measures help ensure that access to clean water is maintained long-term and continues to benefit future students.

Impact on Student Health and Learning

By restoring access to clean drinking water, the project directly supports improved student health, reduced exposure to waterborne disease, and better hygiene practices. Reliable water access also contributes to higher school attendance and a safer, more supportive learning environment.

For the 100 students and teachers at Golindha Tamil Kanishta Vidyalayam, this intervention represents more than infrastructure, it provides a foundation for healthier daily routines, improved educational outcomes, and greater dignity within the school environment.

Acknowledging Our Sponsors

This drinking water facilities project at Golindha Tamil Kanishta Vidyalayam was made possible through the generous support of Mr and Mrs Thavarajah. Their sponsorship played a vital role in enabling the installation of a sustainable tube well system, ensuring long term access to safe drinking water for students and teachers at the school.

Vanni Hope extends sincere gratitude to Mr and Mrs Thavarajah for their commitment to supporting education, health, and wellbeing in underserved communities. Their contribution has created a meaningful and lasting impact for children in the Kegalle District, helping improve daily school life and support healthier learning environments.

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