Introduction
Dundee-based Signpost International (SI) exists to eradicate suffering and poverty in all its forms. We work globally with people based on their expressed needs, irrespective of race or religion, and seek to target the most vulnerable and marginalised. We work through partnership with local organisations and communities to bring transformation through appropriate, sustainable, and community-led programmes. These programmes vary depending on the need but fall under one of four thematic areas: food security; sustainable livelihoods; Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH); and global citizenship. We emphasise the development of strong partnerships with others and work closely with partners to improve practice through capacity building to better address challenges. We similarly recognise that we are on this journey together and have as much to learn as to teach so strive to operate in an open, accountable, and transparent manner.

Registered in 2019 Centre for Indigenous Child Rights (CICR), a Kenyan registered CBO, have supported more than 5,000 vulnerable girls and young women to realise their rights and improve their lives. We have partnered with CICR since early 2022, during which time we have implemented a livelihoods project for women, benefiting approximately 150 people in West Pokot County, Kenya. We have further recently completed this water project and are half-way through delivery of another water project in the area.

Project context and summary of achievements
Currently more than 10% of the global population lack access to safe water (ie <0.5km). In Kenya, this figure is 41%, representing some 15 million people, and is significantly higher in more rural areas of the country. Globally, waterborne illnesses claim a child’s life every 90 seconds, with diarrhoea being the third leading cause of child death. Early childhood diarrhoea is not only deadly; it also contributes to Kenya’s high levels of stunting which in turn affects children’s cognitive development and performance at school (with West Pokot 20 percentage points above the national average of 26% of children stunted1). Waterborne illnesses negatively impact both the educational attainment and income generating potential of affected communities, thus severely restricting socio-economic development. And this is wholly preventable. In July 2023 the Claremont Trust generously provided a grant of £1,000 which was used to support the installation of a deep borehole in Tunoyo village, West Pokot, Kenya providing access to safe water year-round. The entire community lacked access to safe and clean water with girls and women (upon whom water collection duties usually fall) having to walk approximately six hours daily to fetch water from an unsafe open source used for bathing as well as by animals. The borehole was planned to be drilled on a four-acre piece of land collectively owned by an established women’s enterprise group. The improved access would enable the women to develop the land for agricultural use as well as providing drinking water to the entire community. The project has directly benefited approximately 1,500 (855F, 645M) community members from Tunoyo and neighbouring villages accessing water. CICR estimate that within one year the local population will double, and treble in the third year because of the stabilising effect water has within the Pokot nomadic communities. With an annual population growth of 3.1% in the County and an expected life-expectancy for the borehole of 25 years, it is anticipated that the project will at a minimum benefit an additional 5,224. Success Overall, this project has been successful in realising its principal aim of providing safe, clean water to the community of Tunoyo and beyond. Monitoring suggests this has had a marked impact on the incidence of water borne illnesses, reported both from community members and the local health centre. Beyond improvements to the health of the community both women and men are reporting the truly transformative nature of the project. Prior to the project girls and women would leave their households before the sun rose at 6am to begin the long journey for water, returning by midday with a 20L container for the needs of the household (average daily use p/person in the UK is 145L). Now the journey for most within the village takes around 20-30minutes, and with this time saving girls are now able to attend the local primary school more consistently, women can attend to their small enterprises increasing household incomes and can spend time preparing food and being with their families. Locating the water source in the community means that the borehole now serves both the enterprise groups and the community members so there is shared ownership and responsibility by all stakeholders who are benefitting from the intervention. Both Signpost and CICR have been impressed by the real ownership and engagement of the community, the Water User Committee (WUC), and local leaders. The whole process has brought the community together and strengthened bonds as they have collectively come together to problem-solve. The WUC represents a broad range of stakeholders including representatives from marginalised and vulnerable groups. The role of the WUC in the ongoing sustainability of the project is paramount. With more than 250 households seeking to access water from the source the WUC, in conjunction with local government officials, have developed bylaws governing community access including an annual user fee of £1 p/household to contribute towards maintenance costs. The tree nursery is becoming well established, and we anticipate being in a position to distribute seedlings among the community within the next few months. This availability of trees, coupled with an increased awareness of the importance of environmental protection and adoption of climate change mitigation strategies will help safeguard the future of the community.[/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"]

 

Bright Sparks School India Funders Report June 2025

Over the past 12 months, 4 of our UK Trustees made visits to the school and colony (slum area) which is the effective catchment area for the school. These trips enable us to support the Head Teacher and local Trustees to explore sensitivities and challenges, understand our impact and make plans for future developments for the school, its pupils, and alumni.

The most recent visit was made March 2025 by Chair, Sharon O’Connor, and Trustee, Marion Rose. An excerpt from the Trustee’s report follows:

‘We observed them in class and at play. Most students are performing well across all year groups.
Their spoken English is very good, especially in the lower years. We met all of the outgoing year 5 students and most of their parents. There is, as one would expect, some behavioural issues, this only affects a small number. We discussed the need for the school to have a clear strategy for dealing with behavioural issues in a supportive and proactive way and that Rita ensures her teaching team are clear on the inclusive ethos of the school.

Across the week we saw many truly wonderful poetry, dance and singing performances from the students. Some children who are struggling with their studies have sight issues and may well need to wear prescription glasses. We expect once they are wearing glasses they will adjust better to their learning – local Trustees have agreed to arrange eye tests and glasses where needed. We visited the colony, it was encouraging to see that most homes now have toilets and showers, but sadly the pollution in the river that runs through the colony was the worst we’ve seen it, the waste and rubbish causes awful smells and makes the area generally quite unpleasant to be in. It must be a positive relief for children that they get to leave the colony each day for their schooling.’

Case study – Sumit, 14
This is the story of a sensitive boy who joined Bright Sparks in Class one and left to go to secondary school after Class five. Several years ago Sumit’s father abandoned his vegetable-selling cart due to alcoholism. His mother, working as a domestic help, was left with the responsibility for the family’s upkeep. Two of Sumit’s brothers also sold vegetables, while his married sister who had a child, did domestic work. Sumit was expected to help sell vegetables and look after his nephew – rather than ‘do school’.

Whilst family pressures did impact on his mental well-being he remained committed to learning and passing exams to enter secondary school. Over the five years of his schooling at Bright Sparks, his teachers and his mother gave him a great deal of support both academic and emotional. And gradually Sumit transformed. He became more confident and fun-loving, and developed a strong interest in arts and crafts. He began to take on leadership roles, such as overseeing Diwali preparations. And he has made excellent academic progress. Sumit now aged 14 years, is being sponsored by a Friend of Bright Sparks to go to an NGO secondary school where, with the blessing of his whole family, he will have every opportunity to succeed.