Rainwater for an orphanage

The project aimed to improve the living conditions of the children at the Save Our Lives-Ghana orphanage and those attending the primary school by improving sanitation, access to water, the premise's environmental conditions and children's nutrition. Ecological facilities were developed at the orphanage together with a reforestation programme, the "A child, a tree" initiative.

Three 40m² harvesting systems were built at the primary school, together with appropriate sanitation facilities (4 latrines, 4 urinals and 2 VIP latrines for teachers). A vegetable garden and an orchard were planted together with 1,160 trees at the school and 172 trees at the orphanage. A volleyball pitch was constructed at the school to develop sport activities. At the orphanage, an additional 45m² rainwater harvesting tank for washing, cleaning and other household purposes was built, as was a pond to harvest rainwater for the orphanage farm and fish farm.

Founded in Geneva in 2002, the International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance (IRHA) is a non-profit association which federates different movements, which fight for better rainwater management. Its mission is to promote rainwater harvesting as a tool for climate change adaptation.