How the Watersafe Backpack Is Changing Education in Kenya

Every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and dream big. Yet in Kenya, millions of children face a challenge that goes far beyond textbooks or classrooms: clean water. Waterborne illnesses are one of the leading causes of school absenteeism, holding back the potential of countless young learners.

According to reports, an estimated 433 million school days are lost annually in Kenya due to waterborne diseases. That staggering figure doesn’t just represent missed classes—it reflects lost opportunities, delayed futures, and communities struggling to break free from cycles of poverty.

At Watersafe, we believe education and clean water go hand in hand. That’s why the Watersafe Backpack was designed: a simple, portable, and effective way to provide safe drinking water to students, wherever they are. And the results are beginning to show.

Reaching Schools, Reducing Absenteeism

So far, the backpack has reached 1,500 schools out of 43,645 across Kenya. While this may sound like just the beginning, it already represents a powerful step forward. In schools where the backpack has been introduced, absenteeism has noticeably improved. Children are healthier, more energized, and able to focus on learning instead of fighting preventable illnesses.

One teacher shared how the change has even extended beyond the classroom:

“Before, many students were too sick or too weak to join physical education classes. Now, with clean water available, they have the strength to participate.”

For teachers, this means more consistent classrooms. And for the children themselves, it means more time in class, more opportunities to thrive, and more hope for the future.

Why It Matters

Clean water is not just about health—it’s about dignity, education, and opportunity. By reducing the burden of waterborne disease, the Watersafe Backpack is helping to transform education in Kenya, one school at a time.

Reaching 1,500 schools is a milestone worth celebrating. But it also reminds us how much work lies ahead. With over 43,000 schools still in need, we see this as both a challenge and a call to action. Every additional backpack has the potential to save thousands of school days, change lives, and strengthen communities.

The story of the Watersafe Backpack is just beginning. Each new school that gains access to clean water brings us closer to a Kenya where no child misses school because of something as basic as safe drinking water. Together, we can turn the tide—ensuring that education, not illness, shapes the future of Kenya’s children.