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THE FOUNDATION

Rainbows4children is a foundation under Swiss law. It was founded in 2004. Its main purpose is to support the children of disabled war veterans and their families by providing them with an excellent education.

 

Over the last 15 years, the Foundation has built the Nicolas Robinson School. This school educates 1400 children from kindergarten to 12th grade (ages 3.5-18). They come from the most disadvantaged families and receive the best education in the region. The school is now recognized by the local education office as the best quality school in the Tigrai region (population 6 million).

Water as a challenge

Overall, the Tigrai region is "semi-arid". The rainy season lasts only a few months. A major challenge is the water supply to urban areas. All cities, but especially the largest city, Mekele, face endemic water shortages. Reservoirs have been built, but their management is suboptimal.


Rainbows4children Water Challenge

Rainbows4children has already responded to the water challenge in the following ways:

  • Collects summer rainwater at the school, which is stored in a 50,000-liter and 100,000-liter tank. This water only lasts for about 2-3 months.
  • Installed water purification systems to treat the stored rainwater, for hand washing, showering and drinking.
  • Installed a solar powered pump from the local well to provide water for showers.
  • Drilled a 60-meter deep borehole (funded by a local charity) and is now beginning to pipe water from it around the school campus Installed dry latrines to reduce water consumption.
  • Purified used water from hand washing, showering and dish washing through gravel and sand filters, for irrigation of green areas and to use in agriculture.

THE SUPPORT

Row4water will support Rainbows4children to do more:

Row4water appreciates the great work and leadership Rainbows4chidren has shown in water management. Through hands-on presentations, the children will be trained and empowered to help in their personal communities.

Row4water will provide funding to Rainbows4children to:

  • pipe and pump water from the borehole around the 4 hectare school compound
  • provide water for vegetable production and other needs of the school
  • provide sprinkler irrigation for the main vegetable gardens Install water tanks around the perimeter of the school.