ICS Service Club Addresses Water Scarcity in Burayu

by ICS students Leul Nebiyeleul, Abdulla Alrashedi, and Bruke Fekadu

Project Burayu, an ICS student service group, is working to mitigate water scarcity in Burayu.

In collaboration with the ICS Maintenance team, a group of students is working on  the construction of efficient rainwater collection systems and the implementation of effective water filtration methods.

The journey began with students designing rainwater harvesting systems and gaining insightful feedback from the ICS Maintenance team. After refining their designs, the students and maintenance team visited a local school in Burayu to take measurements and ensure precise implementation. During this visit, they interacted with residents, conducted interviews, and gathered valuable insights, highlighting the urgent need for assistance. They also took measurements and received approval from the ICS Maintenance team to proceed with the construction of a rainwater collection system.

Building on this momentum, the students collaborated with the ICS Maintenance team to research the optimal materials for the project and calculate the estimated costs. They collaborated with the ICS Focus on Service (FOS) team, which is another student-led service club which fundraises for student service projects. Their efforts paid off as they received 100,000 birr from the ICS FOS team and an additional 50,000 birr from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) embassy.

With funding secured, the service group handed the funds to the ICS Procurement team to purchase the necessary materials.

The project is set to be fully implemented by the end of the school year, with students working alongside the maintenance team to construct the systems on-site. Installing the rainwater collection systems will have a lasting impact by providing residents with a sustainable and accessible water source.

The Burayu team has also designed systems to collect water on the ICS campus to support the High School garden.

Looking ahead, Project Burayu is committed to expanding its efforts, planning to build additional rainwater collection systems in broader parts of Burayu and implement water filtration systems within the community.. As the project progresses, Project Burayu hopes to inspire others to join the cause and help alleviate water challenges faced by communities in need.