Development context: A key parameter to measure a nation’s development is the quality of education and health available to its young citizens. ‘Quality Education’, Gender equality, and ‘Clean Water & Sanitation’ are three of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals, that India and other nations of the world have committed to achieving by the year 2030. Achieving these SDGs requires partnership and collaboration of the Government, Private sector, and Civil Society.

Background and problem analysis: The project focuses on underprivileged children of 25 selected Government schools in the state of Karnataka. These children come from families whose primary livelihood is by working as agricultural laborers, and construction workers. Most of these schools are poorly connected by public transport and health centers. Due to this constraint, children especially girls discontinue education after 4th grade. Superstition and beliefs about the girl, lead to poor attendance and dropout of girls.

Schools lack safe drinking water facilities, and toilets/restrooms are in a state of repair. While boys use nearby shrubs/open air to attend to nature’s call, girls manage with depilated/broken condition toilets. Skin diseases are common due to poor hygiene.

The Intervention: Reaching Hand’s ‘Girls Glory’ project initiative, focuses on bringing about behavioral change to Puberty and Menstrual hygiene, thereby enabling young girls to pursue their educational aspirations with confidence. We bring this about by sensitizing girls and parents on WASH and Menstrual hygiene; providing safe sanitation facilities for girls; and sensitizing and equipping SDMCs and Schools to take responsibility for the post-project upkeep and maintenance of the Sanitation facilities established.

Reaching Hand brings its experience of working with more than 100 Government Schools- in successfully sensitizing girl children and equipping them to access safe sanitation, facilitating them in their pursuit of collegiate/higher education.

Key Stakeholders: Children, parents, Teachers, headmasters/Headmistress, and School Development & Management Committee (SDMC) are the key stakeholders of the project. Their participation and ownership of the project are key to the implementation and post-project sustainability.

The Project-

Goal: Improved education for 6934 Girls and boys in 25 Govt Schools, through access to safe sanitation

Objectives:

• To provide access to safe sanitation.
• To improve girl’s confidence by sensitizing adolescent girls on puberty, menstrual hygiene, and WASH
• To empower the stakeholder community to lead, manage and sustain the school’s sanitation and WASH focus.
• To provide access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation.
• To provide a conducive child-friendly learning environment for the Govt. school children.
• To retain and increase the strength of the children in Govt. schools. 

Outcomes:

• 6934 Girls and boys have easy access to toilets/restrooms.
• 6934 Girls and boys have awareness of are and are encouraged to use basic sanitation and toiletries.
• Clean, hygienic, and well-maintained restrooms
• Improved awareness of WASH and its health impact
• 2500 girl children are sensitized on puberty and menstrual hygiene.
• Teachers, SDMC, and parents are motivated to participate in the project.
• Working relationship developed with, BEO, BRP, CRP and DDPI
• 6934 Girls and boys have easy access to clean and safe drinking water and restrooms.
• Children exhibit interest to learn and perform well in their studies.
• Increased enrollment of the children in the school.

1. Construction and Renovation of Toilets in 25 Government Schools
2. Menstrual Health and Hygiene sensitization
3. WaSH initiatives

Reaching Hand is a registered Charitable Trust started in 1996 in Bangalore to work with underprivileged children, vulnerable youths & disadvantaged women. It envisions an empowered future for all by acting as a catalyst for social change. Reaching Hand empowers children, youths, and women through its innovative programs, focusing on providing quality education, health care services, and skill development training so that they lead a life of self-worth, hope & dignity.

Vision: To empower communities globally, bringing hope for a better tomorrow.

 Mission: The mission of the organization is three-fold

• Create opportunities through innovative strategies across our focus communities
• Connect with beneficiaries through life-transforming engagements
• Collaborate with like-minded partners across the globe to raise volunteers and resources

Our Core Values:

·         Compassion

·         Integrity

·         Character

·         Respect

·         Commitment

·         Excellence

·         Accountability