Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in eight villages of Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh, India
Location
Janalagudem, Balapalathippa, Pedda Gummadapuram, Yerrakunta, Bandi Atmakur, Venkatapuram, Y. Kothapalli and Santha Juturu villages of Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh
Beneficiaries
Direct: 2,599 (1,570 children under the age of 15 and 160women). The people who are utilizing the water through water supply schemes and the students who are utilizing the toilets and RO (Reverse Osmosis) water in schools.
Indirect: 640 (320 children under the age of 15 and 4.940 women). The labour force who is getting employment through this project and their families.
Duration
October 2020 - September 2021
Problems
There is a scarcity of water required for drinking and domestic purposes in the villages of Janalagudem, Balapalathippa, Pedda Gummadapuram and Yerrakunta, and women have to walk for a mile or two to fetch the water which is just sufficient for cooking and drinking. Since sufficient quantity of water is not available, the communities hardly take bath and wash their clothes which are causing them the health hazards.
Concerning the Government schools at Bandi Atmakur and Venkatapuram, there is no access for protected drinking water and the health conditions of the students are adversely affected. Though midday meal is provided to them every day by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, discordantly, the safe drinking water is not served. They have to drink locally available water which is mostly contaminated.
With regard to sanitation, there are no sufficient toilets for the students in the Government schools at Y.Kothapalli and Santha Juturu. Due to this situation, open defecation is taking place in the school premises which poses a threat to the health of students and a harm for the environment as well as humiliation especially for the girls.
Objectives
To achieve betterment in living conditions of the rural communities as well as the school students by improving the accessibility for water and sanitation.
To enhance knowledge among communities and school students on the importance of water, sanitation and personal hygiene.
To improve health conditions through regular supply of good water and accessibility for toilets.
To decrease the work load of women.
To prevent open defecation in the premises of the schools
Description
The proposed activities include the development of water supply infrastructures in four villages and setting up of five RO plants in five schools, as well as the construction of six toilet complexes in three schools. RDT implements this project without engaging any Civil Contractors, but by involving its Technical Team and gives utmost importance for the quality of work.
In addition, meetings, workshops and visits would be organized with the Community Development Committees (CDC) and student representatives to enable them to understand the importance of water and sanitation and their future maintenance.
Perspectives of sustainability
As RDT has been working in these villages for last ten years and will continue to work in future also, effective follow up and hand holding support will be given in the post project period.
While implementing the project, the people, student representatives and school authorities will be involved in every stage. Apart, capacity building workshops and meetings would be conducted to enhance the awareness. After completion of the project, it will be handed over to the Community Development Committees and School Authorities by taking a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) incorporating all necessary clauses. Later, the Community Development Committees and School Authorities will take care of the maintenance with the help of local governments.
