Clean Water Restores Health, Learning, and Hope for Children in Ntondozi

For years, learners at a primary school in Ntondozi began their mornings with long walks to a river to fetch water. The water was unsafe, the journey exhausting, and lessons were constantly disrupted. For many children like a Grade 6 learner, this had become a normal part of school life.

“Every morning, classes had to stop so we could fetch water,” 

The water scarcity affected more than just health and learning. On some days, the school could not prepare meals because there wasn’t enough water to cook. The land reserved for growing vegetables intended to support the school kitchen remained bare and unused.. 

This reality changed when World Vision Eswatini, with the support of generous partners, installed a clean and reliable water system at the school. Today, safe water flows through taps across the campus bringing health, dignity, and renewed hope. 

The school kitchen can now prepare meals consistently, ensuring children receive the nutrition they need to learn and thrive. The once-dry garden is now flourishing, providing vegetables for school meals and creating hands-on learning opportunities for students.

“We no longer miss our meals, and we can water the vegetables,” says the Grade 6 learner with a smile.

For one of a Grade 7 learner at the school, the change has been life-changing.

“We no longer get sick, and our classes are no longer disrupted,” she shares.

With uninterrupted lessons and improved health, she now has the energy and focus needed to prepare for her final primary examinations. As she looks ahead to high school next year, she is determined to excel—something she says would have been difficult before the arrival of clean water.

The arrival of clean water has restored dignity, protected health, strengthened nutrition, and returned valuable learning hours to the children of Ntondozi. 

World Vision’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Technical Programme continues to transform communities across Eswatini. Through the construction of water systems, the promotion of good hygiene practices, and the strengthening of sanitation facilities, the programme is reducing waterborne diseases, restoring dignity to families, and helping children reach their potential. These interventions not only improve daily life but also strengthen resilience, allowing households and communities to thrive.