Humana People to People India (HPPI) and Humana Austria have joined hands to provide clean water and sanitation to students of selected schools in Patna, Vaishali, Nalanda and Arrah districts of Bihar. In line with the UN SDG6 that aims to provide clean water and sanitation for all, the project, titled ‘WASH for Good Health’ aims to directly benefit 5,500 children and 100 teachers in 20 elementary and middle schools of these districts.

The selected schools are already committed to teaching practice under HPPI’s Necessary Teacher Training (NeTT) programme being implemented in the four above-mentioned districts. The NeTT programme has been running in the State since the year 2016 as part of an MoU with the State Council of Education Research & Training (SCERT).

The project, through its outputs and results, will lead to improved, adequate WASH facilities in the 20 intervention schools, which will lead to a reduction in student absenteeism and drop-out rates, especially among the girl students, due to inadequate toilet facilities. The planned activities aim to equip teachers and students with the knowledge and skills that will enable them to further improve the WASH facilities in their schools and to inspire other schools to follow. The commitment of the surrounding communities will play an important role in the behaviour change process and long-term sustainability.