Promotion of WASH Infrastructure in Government Schools (AWARE-II)

MARI has actively integrated its expertise in community development and behavioral change into the WASH initiative, ensuring sustainable improvements in school sanitation and hygiene. By constructing and renovating essential WASH infrastructure, including toilets, urinals, handwashing platforms, and sanitary disposal facilities, MARI has enhanced the overall health and well-being of school children. The organization has also prioritized behavioral transformation by establishing WASH Clubs, involving students, teachers, and community members in responsible hygiene practices.

Through strategic partnerships with village organizations, self-help groups, and school management committees, MARI has fostered collective ownership and accountability in maintaining the newly developed WASH facilities. Additionally, the formation of task force committees ensures long-term sustainability by overseeing infrastructure maintenance and hygiene education efforts. Beyond schools, MARI has extended its impact into communities by empowering children to act as change agents, spreading awareness on handwashing, toilet usage, menstrual hygiene, and COVID-19 prevention. This holistic approach has led to a significant reduction in WASH-related absenteeism and has strengthened community participation in improved WASH management.

Objectives

Providing Child Friendly WASH Infrastructure in Schools and ensuring that the same is maintained well for the benefit of the children.
Increase the WASH awareness levels amongst the children and involve them actively in achieving behavioural change.
Make school children a medium to take awareness and behavioural change into their families and communities.

"MARI believes that access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene is a fundamental right, and by empowering children and communities, we create lasting change that promotes dignity, health, and sustainable development."

Achievements

Constructed / renovated of 10toilets, 8 urinals, (separately for boys and girls and CWSN toilets).
3 handwashing platforms, provision for safe disposal of sanitary napkins in 3 schools.
Completely resolved 25-30 regular children absentees due to WASH-related diseases.
Strengthened local communities’ participation in improved WASH management.
25-30 children regularly absent from classes because of WASH related diseases have been completely eradicated.

Activities

Established WASH Clubs in all three schools continuously engaging to take up creative activities reinforcing proper understanding of responsible WASH behaviors.
VO / SHG members/Public/HM/ Teacher at large are motivated to make efforts in the protection of the Schools’ WASH infrastructure.
The task force committees are formed with members from GPs, VO representatives, SMC representatives, and HMs/Teachers.
The responsibility of the task force is to ensure that the WASH infrastructure created in the schools is well maintained.
Children and community members were effectively engaged in spreading the information on Hand washing, toilet usage,general hygiene, menstrual hygiene
and COVID preventives in their families and neighbourhood.
WASH awareness programmes may not take place specifically in the schools as well as at the community level.

“MARI remains committed to fostering healthier learning environments by integrating child-friendly WASH infrastructure, promoting behavioral change, and strengthening community participation to ensure sustainable and inclusive development in schools and beyond.”