Pumping safe water is child's play

Children using the special seesaw to pump safe water for their school while they play

March 2010: Children from South Garpara Primary School in Bangladesh did what they always do at lunchtime on World Water Day, 22 March: pump 1,000 litres of safe drinking water from the ground to a tank on the roof of their school.

For these children, it is not hard labour but lots of fun. The children use a pump installed by Plan known as a play pump that operates as a seesaw. When the children start playing on it, the seesaw arms pump safe water from underground to a distribution system that delivers fresh water to the school toilets and a drinking water fountain.

Disease threat

A recent school and household survey by Plan has revealed that 50% of schools in 49 Bangladesh municipalities do not have safe drinking water, sanitised water for toilets or clean hand-washing facilities.

As a result, many students, especially girls, drop out of school. Those that stay in school run the risk of getting diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases. According to the World Health Organisation and UNICEF, diarrhoea kills 1,500,000 children worldwide each year - more young children than AIDS, malaria and measles combined. 

Boosting attendance rates

Before the installation of the play pump, the primary school had a ‘No. 6 hand pump’ that was too big for the children to operate, and their playground had no play equipment. Since it has been installed, attendance rates at the school have improved dramatically.

“The play pump has responded to children’s rights to a quality education and good health, whilst providing a lot of fun,” said Plan Bangladesh Country Director Ned Espey.

 “About 150 students have access to clean water and toilets throughout the school year. Now the empty chairs in the classrooms are filled with energetic, happy students who have discovered the importance of sanitation and hygiene.”

World Water Day

World Water Day is celebrated every year on 22 March and was established by the United Nations to focus attention on the world’s water crisis. 

Water and sanitation is a core part of Plan’s work and our programmes benefit millions of children and their families around the world.

Learn about Plan’s global water and sanitation work.

Find out more about World Water Day.