WASH & Climate Action

Constructing Toilets

CONSTRUCTING TOILETS FOR GIRLS IN SCHOOLS

In the dry villages of the Thar region, the absence of proper sanitation facilities in schools disproportionately affects girls' education and contributes to high child marriage rates. Our response is the construction of dedicated facilities in select government schools. The project provides a permanent structure with water availability, including rainwater tanks and toilets, exclusively for girls. The impact has been apparent, offering a private and hygienic space for school-going girls and improving facilities for female teachers. Additionally, the initiative has enhanced cleanliness around schools and become a model for sustainable community engagement.

School Management Committees (SMCs) have taken on the responsibility of maintaining and cleaning the facilities, ensuring long-term functionality. This project not only bridges educational and health gaps but also showcases the community's commitment to the well-being of its members.

2,050

girls benefitted, improvement in enrollment continuous

toilets constructed

in schools

CONSTRUCTING TOILETS FOR HOUSEHOLDS

Linking with government efforts like the Total Sanitation Campaign and Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, the poorest of the poor families prioritising women-led households have been supported to construct toilets in their households. Families contribute labour to encourage ownership. In arid regions with very poor vegetation cover and dispersed settlements, women take great relief in having toilets in their homes to use throughout the day.

539+

members benefitted

toilets constructed

Constructing in households

RAINWATER HARVESTING STRUCTURES (TANKAAS, NAADIS)

In the arid landscapes of the Thar desert, sustainable practices are necessary to ensure drinking water is available all year. Our response has been construction of taankas, a type of rainwater harvesting catchment tanks. These structures reduce the reliance on expensive water tankers and the burden on women and girls to collect water from far off. Extensive steps have been taken to identify the most vulnerable families as beneficiaries. The beneficiaries contribute 36% of the construction cost through labour, masonry, and materials, while the project covers the remaining 64%. This sustainable solution not only eases water accessibility but also fosters community resilience. Beneficiaries are also encouraged to clean the catchment area of the taanka before the onset of rain.

Rainwater Harvesting

277

tankas constructed

167

tankas repaired

SAFE DRINKING WATER INITIATIVE THROUGH SOLAR WATER DISINFECTION (SODIS) USING WADI

In partnership with Saurya Urja Co. of Rajasthan Ltd. and Helioz Future Economy, 100 households were initiated to use solar-powered disinfectant kits to sterilise their drinking water. As per the baseline survey, only 4.91% of households treat their water before drinking, and this is limited to straining.

Families part of the initiative were provided with WADI equipment, 20 bottles, and a sample test vial to check their source of drinking water. The entire set-up provides a family with 20 litres of solar-sterilised water per day. By sampling the drinking water source, visible evidence of the quality of water was provided. Live demonstrations of the equipment helped the participants understand the process of using the WADIs. The initiative is a gradual shift in the behaviour of communities towards safe hygiene and sanitation practices.

SODIS

100%

on ease of use of the device

98%

of households continued to use the device after 6 months and the device was found to be in working condition

98%

reported a reduction in waterborne disease

AFFORESTATION

Keeping in line with our aim of ensuring a safe environment and food security for all, we have actively undertaken afforestation efforts in the Thar region. By promoting local trees, we create sustainable and practical change that is beneficial to the environment, people and animals. By practising safe and maintainable methods of harvesting while respecting the requirements of the ecosystem, the communities benefitting from this initiative can secure food for their families and livestock. When sustained, this initiative benefits the environment around the communities and can potentially mitigate the climate effects in the region.

4300

Fruit cum fodder trees of local variety