Problem solved

Municipality engineer Mohammad Bisharat stands proudly in the girl's school yard. He explains the new water system which he has installed, with support from Oxfam and the Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission.

"We have a real problem with water here in Tammoun. Before this system was installed, water was being wasted but the school now makes the most of the little it has."

Photo: Alan Gignoux

Recycling water

Ragad, aged nine, understands the importance of recycling water. She says: "It's important not to waste water and to reuse the water we have washed in.

"We tell our parents about this project and we try to save water at home. It's very important because we don't have much. We have learnt how to save water at home by using the tap properly. It's easy to save water when you wash your hands."

Photo: Alan Gignoux

Cooling off

Ragad refreshes herself in the midday sun. Temperatures in the West Bank during the summer term can soar to well over 40C (120F).

Photo: Alan Gignoux

A garden of hope

Headteacher Ina'm Bisharat says: "Amidst all that is going on in our country, we find this garden very hopeful. The psychology of both teachers and students is helped by this project because the garden is so restful. At the beginning of every day we meet in the garden and it's a calming start to the day. The girls like to work in the garden."

Photo: Alan Gignoux

Nothing wasted

The students say they enjoy gardening and watching the plants grow. Hala, aged nine (far right), says: "I like the garden. Each morning we stand here in the garden and sing the national anthem."

The water recycling system is simple, but makes the most of every drop ensuring that nothing is wasted. Collected rainwater is used by the girls to wash their hands. The waste water which runs off is collected in a cistern and then pumped up to a rooftop tank where it is stored, before being used to irrigate the school garden.

Photo: Alan Gignoux