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Supporting school sanitation in India

Kemira supports Plan India in a school sanitation project in Bhatwari, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand in India. 140 government schools participated in trainings to build awareness of hygiene and sanitation, and new sanitary facilities were built for 25 schools. As awareness of hygiene improves, the behavioral changes are getting more and more visible.

In the remote areas of Uttarkashi in northern India the hashness of the terrain and the daily struggles meant that water and sanitation issues were often the last priority. Surveys revealed that basic hygiene awareness and sanitation facilities were often missing at school.

 

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The Kemira supported Plan India school sanitation project took place in the remote villages of Uttaskashi, India.

With the support of Plan and its local partner Sri Bhuvneshwari Mahila Ashram (SBMA), ​140 government schools were selected to participate in trainings to build awareness of hygiene and sanitation. In addition, new sanitary facilities were built for 25 schools. The facilities were constructed using the leach pit system, and they have different units for boys and girls, as well as changing rooms which benefits especially the girls. The unique incinerator concept enables easy disposal of the waste.

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25 schools got new sanitation facilities with separate units for boys and girls.

Within the project, all 140 schools established student health clubs that discuss issues of water maintenance, student sanitation and hygiene, clean school environment and ensuring proper hand washing. They also collect funds for sanitary facilities maintenance. The student health clubs are supported by champion teachers who help to plan, carry out and monitor these activities.

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Student health clubs were formed in all 140 schools that participated in the project.

In addition to schools, the Plan project has improved sanitation in local communities. The community awareness activities reached totally 4.300 people in 8 villages, 7 of which have won the Nirmal Gram award. The award is given under the Total Sanitation Campaign of the Government of India to a village that has become open defecation free.

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Improved awareness of hygiene has had a positive impact on behavior habits, for example hand washing.

The project has had several positive impacts, including:

• 7 villages have won the Nirmal Gram Puraskar award and 140 schools are taking steps towards better sanitation and hygiene.
• Improved awareness of hygiene has changed people’s behavior, e.g. hand washing. The number of water related diseases in the area has decreased.
• The constructed toilets – both in school and around the community – are being used regularly. The schools report decreased amount of absence of girls due to the new sanitary facilities.
• Children’s clubs are playing progressive roles in developing sanitation and hygiene in their schools.

For more information about the Uttarkashi case and other Plan India WASH projects, please visit the Plan-WASH website

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