Water and Technology, Building A Brighter Future For Ntilal

Water and Technology: Building a Brighter Future for Ntilal

One of the main reasons our mission at Dry River Children Charity is so important is our commitment to bringing water and technology to Ntilal, a marginalised community in Samburu, Kenya.

For the children of Ntilal Primary School, something as simple as having enough water can make a huge difference to their education. When it rains, the children may collect water from the river. When the river is dry which is most of the time, they have to walk several kilometres to the community borehole and carry water back to the school. This water is needed to clean the toilets and classrooms before lessons begin and, when food has been donated, to help prepare meals in the school's small kitchen.

There is a strong connection between food, water and school attendance. When there is no food at school, fewer children attend. But when the children see smoke rising from the school's little kitchen, they know that food is being prepared, and more children come through the school gates.

This is why we believe a borehole at Ntilal Primary School could be transformational. Reliable water would mean cleaner facilities, easier food preparation and, most importantly, could encourage more children to attend school regularly.

But our vision does not stop with water.

• 

Ntilal is in a semi-arid area blessed with an abundance of sunshine. We would love to help the school harness that natural resource through solar power, creating a sustainable source of electricity for a computer lab.

Imagine the possibilities.

Children who have very limited access to technology could sit at a computer and discover what is happening beyond their community. They could learn about the wider world, explore new opportunities, develop digital skills and connect with other children and schools.

We are especially excited about the possibility of connecting Ntilal Primary School with Chagford School in Devon, England, which has kindly agreed to collaborate with Dry River Children Charity. This could give children on opposite sides of the world the opportunity to learn from one another, share their experiences and realise that, despite living very different lives, they have much in common.

• 

For us, this is what development is really about. It is not simply providing a building or equipment. It is about creating opportunities, opening doors and giving children the tools to imagine a different future.

A borehole could bring water. Solar power could bring electricity. A computer lab could bring the world to Ntilal.

Together, these could help transform education for the children of this remarkable community.

Water can bring children to school. Technology can help them see where education can take them.

This is why we continue our mission.

Dry River Children Charity, helping bring hope, opportunity and a brighter future to Ntilal.

Please follow on Instagram, dry_river_children, and see more photos and stories about what we are doing and the communities.

It's a big commitment for us and technologically challenged. We continue to ask for volunteers who can come on board and help us with their IT skills.

Asanteni Sana - Thank you very much!