Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Program
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Program: Transforming Lives in Andhra Pradesh
Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation
Access to clean water and proper sanitation is a fundamental human right. Millions in India grapple with the challenges of accessing safe water and proper sanitation, and this struggle is particularly pronounced in the remote, drought-prone areas of Andhra Pradesh. Here, communities, including Tribes, Dalits, and backward classes, are forced to make heart-wrenching choices, often leaving their villages in search of water. In collaboration with SELAVIP, PNF is dedicated to addressing these critical issues at the grassroots level.
Comprehensive Solutions for Lasting Impact:
PNF's focus on marginalized communities goes beyond immediate relief, emphasizing equitable, sustainable, and affordable water and sanitation services. In partnership with SELAVIP and generous supporters, we implement emergency, recovery, and long-term WASH programs, recognizing the importance of both access and awareness in transforming communities.
Community-Centric Empowerment:
Our transformative program takes a community-centric approach, strategically selecting villages facing acute water scarcity, especially during droughts. By fostering community participation and ownership through water user associations and training, the program not only addresses water scarcity but also has a ripple effect on the overall well-being of the community. It enables communities to save and earn money, enhancing livelihoods and breaking the cycle of poverty.
Impactful Testimonies of Transformation:
Mrs. Battula Dhanalakshmi, a member of a self-help group, shares her inspiring story of transformation. Thanks to PNF's intervention, she now supports her family through income generated from milch animals. Another powerful testimony comes from Mrs. Ananthamma, a single mother and daily laborer. She highlights how the WASH program significantly improved her daughters' school attendance, breaking barriers to education, and ensured 24/7 access to clean water.
Beyond Clean Water:
Improving Socio-Economic Conditions: The program has successfully contributed to improved school attendance, especially among girl children, and the reenrollment of dropout students. By saving time for rural poor women, who can now focus more on livelihood activities, the program is fostering economic empowerment at the grassroots level.
Health, Economic, and Social Impact:
Communities served by the program are experiencing improved health conditions, with a notable reduction in waterborne diseases. Additionally, families are saving money by avoiding the purchase of water cans, a significant relief in dire economic conditions. The program has played a pivotal role in preventing migration due to water scarcity, contributing to improved socio-economic conditions in the region.
Our collaborative efforts are creating a lasting impact on the lives of those who need it most. Through the WASH program, we are not only providing access to fundamental needs but also fostering a holistic transformation in communities, promoting health, education, and economic well-being. For a closer look at the inspiring stories and the tangible impact of our WASH initiatives, click here to watch our dedicated video.
SANITATION
SANITATION FOR DIGNITY: TRANSFORMING LIVES, ONE TOILET AT A TIME SDG Target 6.2 seeks to achieve access for all to sanitation and hygiene.
In the heart of India's sanitation challenges, People in Need Foundation stands committed to Sustainable Development Goal 6, tirelessly working towards universal access to sanitation. In a nation where 48% of the population still practices open defecation, our mission takes on profound significance, addressing not just a basic need but a gateway to dignity and well-being.
THE SANITATION CHALLENGE IN INDIA
A staggering 594 million people in India resort to open defecation, posing severe challenges. Women bear the brunt, grappling with shame, safety risks, and the loss of personal dignity. This scenario reflects not just a sanitary issue but a deep societal concern, impacting the health and potential of millions. Children, particularly, suffer from weakened health, hindering their ability to learn and thrive. With malnutrition affecting 48% of Indian children, the need for comprehensive sanitation solutions becomes urgent.
OUR TRANSFORMATIVE RESPONSE
In partnership with SELAVIP, People in Need Foundation has embarked on a transformative Sanitation Program. We're not just building toilets; we are constructing pathways to dignity and safety for the most marginalized communities. This initiative is a beacon of hope, preventing open defecation and instilling safe and hygienic practices.
Beyond infrastructure, our program incorporates crucial elements of education and motivation. Through targeted training, we empower communities to make behavioral shifts, endorsing the use of individual household toilets and promoting proper handwashing practices with soap. The impact reaches beyond health; it resonates in education, economics, and community empowerment.
EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES: BEYOND TOILETS
This project is a testament to our commitment to holistic well-being. Beyond the tangible outcomes of toilet construction, we've witnessed a reduction in school dropouts due to illness and a significant cut in healthcare expenses. This isn't just about sanitation; it's about providing communities the tools to lead healthier, more dignified lives.
Join us in this transformative journey. Let's not just build toilets; let's build a future where sanitation is a cornerstone of dignity, health, and equality. Together, we're not just transforming infrastructure; we're transforming lives, one toilet at a time.
TESTIMONIES:
TESTIMONY 1:
My name is Mrs. Rayapati Subbul, and I am 54 years old. I was affected by leprosy at the age of 21, and the consequences of not receiving treatment in time resulted in the loss of my fingers and a foot. My husband also suffers from leprosy, and our livelihood depends on begging. Each day, we find ourselves at traffic signals in Bapatla, seeking help from passing strangers. Both of our children are illiterate, and they often struggle to secure daily labor due to the stigma and discrimination associated with our conditions. Many people keep their distance from us and refuse to hire us for work. As a result, our sole source of income remains begging, which leaves us in a precarious position.
My health frequently deteriorates due to bleeding from my foot, leading to periods where we lack both money and food. To relieve ourselves, we are forced to cross railway lines at night. We lack the means to purchase proper shoes, and my damaged nerves leave me unable to feel pain even when walking on sharp stones near the railway tracks, making me susceptible to cuts and injuries that result in severe damage to my toes and feet. The lack of a toilet at our home has posed numerous difficulties for us.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to People in Need Foundation and SELAVIP for constructing toilets at our home. My children actively participated in the construction process and contributed their labor for free. I now find great joy in having my own toilet, which eliminates the need to venture outside for such purposes. PINF also facilitated my treatment at the government hospital for my wounds, ensuring they are dressed daily. Additionally, they helped us secure disability pensions and enrolled my children in vocational training for motor pump winding. I am once again deeply grateful to PINF and SELAVIP for the incredible impact they have had on my family's life.
TESTIMONY 2:
I am Mrs. K. Nagarathnam, a 56-year-old residing in Bethany Leprosy Colony with my husband, John Babu, and our grandson, Johnson, who works as a painter. Unfortunately, his wife passed away due to liver damage, leaving him with three daughters aged 14, 12, and 8. We all share a small, aging house in the colony, and until recently, we had no toilet attached to our home. This meant we had to travel a considerable distance to defecate in the open, often requiring us to cross a railway gate. The walk was particularly challenging at night and during the rainy season, and my grandchildren found it especially difficult.
Tragedy struck one day when my younger granddaughter, Jasmine, accompanied her elder sister to relieve herself. While crossing the two-line railway track on their way back home, the elder sister hurried across, instructing Jasmine to follow quickly as a train approached. In the darkness, Jasmine was hesitant to cross and was unable to discern which track the train was coming from. To follow her elder sister, she decided to cross, but tragically, she crossed one line and was struck by the train while crossing the second track, leading to her immediate death. This was a devastating tragedy for our family. In that same year, we also lost my daughter-in-law.
Since then, we lived in fear of crossing the railway tracks to reach a toilet. We prayed for help to build our own toilet, but financial constraints due to my son being the sole breadwinner made it an impossible task.
Today, we are filled with joy, thanks to People in Need Foundation and the support of SELAVIP. They took the compassionate step to construct new toilets for families like ours who are affected by leprosy and disabled in our colony. This initiative has made an enormous difference in our lives. We wholeheartedly thank SELAVIP and PINF for their humanitarian gesture.