Maranatha Kindergarten & Primary School in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region provides early childhood and primary education to 1,167 students with the support of 38 dedicated staff. As one of the younger-age institutions in the Ethiopia 2025 WASH Survey, it presented a valuable opportunity to assess how WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) conditions affect the health and learning of children in their formative years.

Needs4Water’s Project 12 team conducted a detailed evaluation of the school’s water supply reliability, latrine infrastructure, and hygiene promotion practices. Young learners are especially vulnerable to waterborne illnesses and poor hygiene environments, and findings from Maranatha confirmed that frequent water interruptions and limited hygiene supplies can significantly disrupt both health and classroom routines.

The school’s sanitation blocks were functional but often undersized for peak-use times. Teachers shared that they often took extra steps to ensure students washed hands before meals, even when soap was unavailable. These committed efforts were encouraging, but structural gaps—such as insufficient tap points and lack of hygiene materials—limit the school’s ability to fully meet WASH standards.

Project 12’s recommendations include increasing the number of age-appropriate latrines, ensuring consistent water supply throughout the day, and supporting WASH education that resonates with younger students. Investing in early WASH access is essential not only for disease prevention, but for setting lifelong habits that promote dignity, self-care, and learning readiness.