In Onitsha, Nigeria, your generosity helped fund a new borehole at the Don Bosco Secondary School — bringing reliable access to clean water and transforming daily life on campus. This vital improvement has created a safer, healthier and more inclusive environment where students can learn with dignity and confidence.

Before this critical new infrastructure was built, the school relied on a single borehole that was insufficient to meet the needs of the community. The system was overwhelmed by more than 1,000 youth and local residents who regularly depend on the school for training programs, summer camps, vocational education, and formative activities.

The lack of adequate water access posed particular difficulties for students with physical disabilities, as the older facilities were not designed to accommodate their needs. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, our missionaries prioritized the installation of a second borehole — a decision that has had an immediate and lasting impact.

One student, Mike, shared how dramatically conditions have improved. “The old facilities were overcrowded and difficult to maintain due to their deteriorated condition,” he explained. “Water flow was inconsistent, which made it hard to keep the environment clean. Students with physical disabilities also struggled, as the previous setup was inaccessible for their needs. With the recent upgrade, everything has changed for the better.”

Today, the community has easy access to clean toilets, wash basins, and waste bins strategically placed around the school compound. Hand-washing stations have been installed in multiple locations, encouraging healthier daily practices and have significantly improved sanitation standards. Most importantly, students with physical challenges can now use the facilities comfortably — a change that has brought both dignity and joy.

This project is part of our Clean Water Initiative, which prioritizes access to safe water in communities where sanitation remains a serious concern. “Clean water in a school is imperative,” says Father Michael Conway, Director of Salesian Missions. “Our students come to learn — they shouldn’t get sick from water. That’s why our Clean Water Initiative is so important — not only for our schools, but also for the wider communities they serve.”

Because of your generosity, the Don Bosco Secondary School is now better equipped to protect the health of its students, staff and neighbors. Reliable access to clean water is more than an infrastructure upgrade — it is a foundation for learning, inclusion and hope for a brighter future.

Learn more about our work in Nigeria.

Our mission is to bring clean, safe water to impoverished communities for the health and wellbeing of children and their families. What’s your mission?