Clean Water for Better Education Opportunities 

More than 600 children attend the “21 de Septiembre A” primary school in Quillacollo, Bolivia, every day. Yet an essential prerequisite for a healthy learning environment is missing: reliable access to safe drinking water.

The school’s well system is more than 20 years old. Although it can theoretically provide water, it does not ensure reliable filtration, disinfection or stable distribution. Contaminated water, ageing pipes, leaks and recurring service interruptions are part of everyday school life. At the same time, many children lack basic knowledge about hygiene measures such as regular handwashing, increasing the risk of water-related diseases.

With the new “Water for Education” project, WasserStiftung and its local partner organisation Aguatuya aim to sustainably improve the school’s drinking water supply. The goal is to ensure safe water, reduce water-related diseases and strengthen the children’s educational opportunities.
The project includes the installation of a reliable water treatment and distribution system within six months. The existing water infrastructure will also be rehabilitated and stabilised to prevent failures and water losses. School staff will receive training in operating, maintaining and monitoring the system.

Another key element is WASH education for the students. Interactive and practical learning activities will focus on hand hygiene, disease prevention and the responsible use of water. The children will also be encouraged to act as multipliers, sharing healthy practices with their families and communities.
Around 635 people will benefit directly, including 615 students as well as teaching and administrative staff. In the long term, the improved infrastructure will also benefit future generations of students. Families and the wider community will benefit indirectly through improved water and hygiene conditions.

The project is being implemented together with Aguatuya, a Cochabamba-based NGO with many years of experience in water, sanitation and hygiene. The project runs from January to June 2026. It is supported by the Georg-Kraus-Stiftung, the Marianne und Emil Lux Stiftung and the ABC Stiftung für Lateinamerika.

Because clean water is more than a basic need: it is a prerequisite for children to learn in good health, attend school regularly and build better opportunities for their future.