Ngozi : deprived of drinking water, over 800 boarding pupils forced to fetch water from swamps

SOS Médias Burundi

Ngozi, October 2, 2026 — More than 800 boarding pupils at Lycée Don Bosco—a Catholic-affiliated school in the Ngozi district of Butanyerera province, northern Burundi—are forced to go to nearby swamps to fetch water for their daily needs. This shortage disrupts their studies and makes it difficult to maintain hygiene standards, even as awareness campaigns regarding cholera, Ebola, and Mpox are being conducted in schools across the country.

Pupils forced to fetch water from swamps

The situation is particularly concerning for the school’s boarders. According to the pupils, some must go to the swamps every afternoon to collect the water required for their daily needs.

This chore disrupts their academic schedule and cuts into the time they could otherwise spend reviewing their lessons.

“Every afternoon, we have to go fetch water from the swamps. It wastes a lot of time that we should be dedicating to our studies and coursework,” the pupils lament.

Beyond the impact on their learning, the pupils also highlight hygiene challenges. The lack of water makes it difficult to wash hands regularly or keep sanitary facilities clean at the boarding school, which hosts over 800 pupils.

Water shortage amidst a health prevention campaign

The issue was raised on Tuesday during the launch of school-based awareness activities in Ngozi focused on preventing cholera, Ebola, and Mpox. Access to clean water and sanitation facilities is essential for preventing infectious diseases, particularly in schools with large pupil populations.

For boarding pupils at Don Bosco High School, the contrast is stark : they are educated on the importance of hygiene measures to protect against contagious diseases, yet their school lacks the water needed to properly implement them.

A promise of a solution

The pupils took the opportunity of a visit by the First Lady of Burundi, Angeline Ndayishimiye, to share the challenges they face due to the lack of water.

Addressing the pupils, she urged them to take prevention advice seriously in order to protect their health and safeguard their futures.

“Think about your future by protecting yourselves against these diseases,” she advised them.

Regarding the water supply issue, Angeline Ndayishimiye stated that she would do everything in her power to help find a solution.

Water : crucial for education and hygiene

Resolving this shortage would not only improve hygiene conditions at the boarding school but also reduce the time pupils spend searching for water.

Pupils could then devote more time to their studies and more easily implement the preventive measures against cholera, Ebola, and Mpox that they have been taught.

The situation at Don Bosco High School places access to clean water at the heart of health and educational concerns for the boarding pupils at this school in the Ngozi district, Butanyerera province.