‘Water well in every school’ initiative bears fruits

                      

STATE of Kuwait today Celebrates 57th Anniversary of Independence from United Kingdom, and the 27th Anniversary of The Liberation Day from Iraq invasion as well as 12th Anniversary of His Highness The Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah since Assuming The Rule in 2006.

Kuwait also celebrates its national day on the 25 February in honour of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem ( Father of Democracy in Kuwait ) who took office on the same day in 1961 The two countries have enjoyed cordial relationships and through its embassy in Tanzania, which was opened about three years ago, it has launched a number of initiatives and charitable works which benefit ordinary citizens directly.

One of the most successful Initiative carried by the Embassy is ‘Water Well in Every School” which was launched by Ambassador Jasem Al-Najem in 2016. This initiative aimed at drilling water wells and is under the supervision of the Embassy. Kuwaiti charitable societies cooperate with other benefactors such as the Zakat House, Kuwait Red Crescent Society, Direct Aid Foundation and others.

The initiative seeks to provide safe, fresh and clean water services in primary and Secondary schools and other education centres throughout the country from Dar es Salaam, in the east of the country to Zanzibar Islands, Tanga Region in the north to Kigoma in the west. Students and teachers are major beneficiaries of these wells as well as people living around the schools, who were suffering from water scarcity where in some cases they were forced to walk long distances in search of the precious liquid.

So far, about 60 wells have been dug with the cost of drilling one water well ranging between 3000 US Dollars and 5000 US Dollars (about 6.7 and 11.2m/-) depending on the region.

This initiative is in response to a call made by President of the United Republic of Tanzania H.E Dr John Magufuli when assuming office in November 2015, for provision of clean drinking water in an effort to combat infectious diseases and malaria, which affects large numbers of citizens. Senior Government officials – among them Minister of water and Irrigation Engineer Isack Kamwelwe, during their meetings with Ambassador Al- Najem – have expressed their appreciation for the humanitarian role played by the Government of the State of Kuwait and various Kuwaiti Organisations and Foundations under Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah, in helping Tanzanians.

There is always joy and happiness from students and residents whenever the Embassy inaugurates water wells in their areas. Water scarcity has been one of the reason for the absenteeism among students in Tanzanian schools.

Efforts of the State of Kuwait through its Embassy in Dar es Salaam, and in cooperation with its Charitable Organisation such as Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development show Kuwaiti’s determination to help Tanzania to solve problem of water scarcity. All these great efforts confirm readiness of the Amir of the State of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to extend a helping hand to Tanzanians especially in education and health sectors.

There is a need for local and foreign entities working in the country to support the Embassy’s initiative “ Water Well in Every School” to save and raise the level of education among the ranks of more than 10 million students in primary and secondary schools nationwide. According to analysts, at a time where Tanzania is struggling to achieve middle class economy, the issue of improving schools is leading the way, especially through the provision of guaranteed water services, and the initiative of the embassy to drill water wells should be supported by all Tanzanians.

His Highness the Amir of The State of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah received Global Humanitarian Leader Award from the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon in September 2015. Successful implementation of the initiative encourages other foreign Embassies in the country to carry out initiatives and projects useful to the community.