Drinking Water Project for Yatihoragala Vidyalaya, Deniyaya

Date: 22 December 2021
Location: Yatihoragala Vidyalaya, Deniyaya
Project: Hadawathinma Daruwanta - Drinking Water Project

After completing a drinking water project for Kiriveldola School, I shared the experience on Facebook. Having seen that post, Keerthi aiya contacted me and told me about another small school in Yatihoragala, Deniyaya, that was also in need of drinking water. He asked whether I could help the school in a similar way. That request was made about a year before this project was completed.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic caused repeated delays, I never forgot the request. In December 2021, I contacted the principal again and learned that the school's water problem had still not been resolved. I then decided to visit the school the following week and asked the principal to inform the parents so that we could begin the work.

Even at the final stage, unexpected difficulties almost prevented the project from going ahead. Despite those obstacles, I was determined to find a way to provide drinking water for the children.

A water source near an elevated water reserve was developed by installing concrete cylinders to form a well. A pipeline of approximately 700 metres was then laid from the source towards the school, with water collected in a storage tank. A tiled drinking-water point with taps was also constructed so that the children could conveniently access the water.

After two days of demanding work, water reached the children by 22 December 2021. On 23 December, the project became another completed drinking-water initiative under "Hadawathinma Daruwanta".

What made this project especially meaningful to me was that its benefit would not end with the children attending the school at that moment. Children studying there for many years to come could continue to benefit from the same water source.

"In the years ahead, hundreds and perhaps thousands of children will quench their thirst from this water. Isn't that happiness enough?"