Mr. Getnet Banda

Mr. Getnet Banda is a teacher and special needs officer at Edget Primary School. He has been at the school since 2015. He loves teaching and helping children with special needs.

When Mr. Banda joined, the student population was not nearly as big as it is now, and the school facilities were in poor shape. As the school expanded, they knew they needed better facilities, but they lacked the budget to do so. Children used to drink from rusted taps, and improper water drainage meant dirty water was flowing over the school grounds, bringing bad smells with it.

The Splash WASH program has shown us that we deserve better WASH facilities, and it’s possible to make it happen if we all work together.

This pandemic would be the hardest time of all if we did not have these new WASH facilities at school. Thanks to Splash installing this amazing water filter, drinking and handwashing facilities, and sufficient water storage, the cleanliness of both our school grounds and our children has improved.

I used to drink bottled water from the school café, which was very expensive for me to buy daily, and I think about the kids who survived all those years with water shortages and unclean water. These days, janitors can clean toilets and the compound regularly because there is enough water in the school. The facilities are amazing and brand new; it is a great opportunity for the school.

I am so excited and motivated after seeing this work that I organize cleaning campaigns every Friday with students to keep everything clean. The hygiene ambassadors are so helpful in teaching their peers; it is a great approach to engage students for this responsibility. One thing I particularly appreciate as a special needs professional is that the WASH infrastructure is accessible to children with disabilities. This is something that has been ignored by other organizations.

Thank you Splash for investing in this generation!!