The geographic area of Northern Clarendon in Jamaica boasts a vast number of fruit trees, lush vegetation, and forested land. Its beautiful landscape is typical of hilly rural areas that are interspersed across Jamaica, and which depend heavily on agriculture for livelihoods. Residents in the communities of Northern Clarendon, however, are challenged by the lack of a crucial resource- water. Without water, sanitation and hygiene are at risk, crops will wither, and school attendance rates will be impacted. Improving access to safe and clean water is therefore critical to sustaining human health, improving economic and food security, and building the resilience of residents in the communities.
Working under the United Nations Jamaica project “Strengthening human resilience in Northern Clarendon and West Kingston,” the United Nations Environment Programme Cartagena Convention Secretariat partnered with the Clarendon Parish Development Committee Benevolent Society (CPDCBS), to implement sustainable solutions to address water scarcity, sanitation and build community awareness about environmental protection and pollution reduction in Northern Clarendon. This is being done through the subproject “Improved Environmental Health and Water Security in Schools” which commenced in October 2021 and has significantly enhanced the resilience of 5 schools.
The James Hill Primary, Trout Hall Primary, and Park Hall Primary and Infant Schools have benefitted from the installation of rainwater harvesting systems, handwashing stations, wastewater reuse systems and labelled waste disposal bins to encourage recycling. Two additional schools, Mitchells Hill Primary and Anderson Town Primary, received handwashing stations, water tanks to increase their water storage capacity, and labelled recycling bins. Training sessions were conducted at the schools on water safety and the benefits of composting and recycling.
During a site visit to James Hill Primary, Trout Hall Primary and Park Hall Primary and Infant Schools on 21st March 2022, representatives from the Cartagena Convention Secretariat and the UN Human Security Trust Fund (UNHSTF) Project Management Unit saw the on-the-ground benefits of these interventions and interacted with beneficiaries.
Ms. Eurica Douglas, General Manager of CPDCBS, explained that, “in the communities of James Hill, Trout Hall and Park Hall, the schools were challenged by not having water on a consistent basis. In fact, they have had to purchase water to ensure that schools are in session on a regular basis. So what we did was use rainwater harvesting systems to address water situation at the schools which also helped in times of drought.”
According to Ms. Douglas, the schools were selected through consultation with the Parish Development Committee. In describing the activities that have been implemented, Ms. Douglas explained that gutters were installed to catch rainwater and fill the tanks. A solar power system was also set up at the schools to pump water from the tanks, and this, she explained, will contribute to less dependency on petrol and fossil fuels.
“We have also introduced the schools to greywater recycling systems where we utilize the water from the handwashing stations to flush toilets at the schools. And this demonstrates to the students that we can reuse the water that we consider waste,” she added.
Solid waste management was also one of the priority areas addressed at the schools to facilitate the recycling of plastic bottles, glass, paper, and other types of waste. “We introduced them to waste management systems, so we have given them 5 bins to recycle at the schools,” said Ms. Douglas.
“We also trained the leadership of the schools, including students, on how to maintain the rainwater harvesting systems and solar power systems, and also on how important it is to use waste material. We also introduced them to composting and general greening of the school compound,” explained Ms. Douglas. Parents and teachers also benefitted from the training sessions.
The principals of the 3 schools that were visited expressed gratitude to UNEP and the UNHSTF team for the timely nature of the project which has considerably improved the school environment and positively impacted the school population, as well as, the wider community.
“We are grateful to the CPDCBS for recognizing our need and to UNEP for the funding,” said Ms. Aldith Stewart, Principal of Park Hall Primary and Infant school. “Before this programme, we had severe water challenges, especially this time around. The drought can be harsh on us and we have to purchase water which is very expensive, and considering the fact that the cost of fuel is going up then you know that the cost of water will also go up. At this point, all our tanks are catching their own water and this will build our water capacity. We are just waiting on the rain to fall.”
Mr. Patrick Coulthrist, Principal of Trout Hall Primary School, expressed his appreciation to UNEP for the contribution and effort in obtaining the rainwater harvesting system. “It will truly enhance our vision here at the school which is to make sure the children learn in a holistic way and that we take care of the environment as best as possible. The rainwater that will be harvested will be used for sanitation purposes and we are confident that it is a worthwhile effort, and we will make the best use of it.”
Acting Principal of James Hill Primary School, Ms. Loretta Williams, also shared that, “at a school with 300 students and staff we need a lot of water in normal times, and moreso, with the new protocols put in place due to COVID-19. When we do not have water, it is a challenge for us to prepare meals, for students to use the bathroom and wash their hands.” She also explained that many students go to school without drinking water and the school therefore has to provide this commodity.
School attendance is also impacted as a result of water scarcity, as Ms. Williams explained that “if there is no water, we can’t be here and the students can’t be here. And this is where we want to have them, to get a chance to have a quality education. So we are happy for the project in assisting us to get the water that we need”.
The activities implemented at these schools have been “timely” as noted by Ms. Douglas, as “we were able to address the sanitation issues that most schools had also because of the COVID-19 pandemic.” The project has so far impacted approximately 1600 beneficiaries. Ms. Douglas pointed out that the project has not only benefitted the schools directly but also the wider communities, as many of the schools serve as meeting places for community youth groups and citizen associations.
Mr. Christopher Corbin, Officer-In-Charge of the Secretariat and Programme Officer with responsibility for UNEP’s activities, was very pleased with the positive impacts of the interventions and the commendable work of the CPDCBS.
“We are proud of the work that the CPDCBS has carried out under this project. We have listened to the principals, students and teachers and heard how much they have benefitted from the new tanks and the sanitation systems. This project teaches the students the importance of water and how it can be reused. We hope that the parents will also be encouraged to replicate these rainwater systems in their homes,” he noted.
Mr. Corbin added that, “this is the type of activity that should be replicated not just in Jamaica but the Wider Caribbean Region which the Secretariat serves.”
As we celebrate World Water Day 2022, the UNEP Cartagena Convention Secretariat renews it commitment to helping countries in the Wider Caribbean address the challenges affecting water security in region, so that all communities can have adequate and sustainable access to clean water and safe sanitation systems.
