Background:

WinS stands for Wash in Schools. WASH refers to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene. This is a Rotary International (RI) focus project for India which Rotary Club of Panaji Midtown intends to execute in rural and urban schools in the State of Goa.

Out of 6 areas of focus for Rotary International, 2 of them viz basic education & Literacy and water & sanitation are covered under Wins Project.

The WinS project is not just a focus area for RI but also for UNICEF and Government of India through the HRD Ministry for Panchayati Raj, drinking water and sanitation. Infact this also forms an integral part of prime ministers initiative for Swacha Bharat.

OBJECTIVE:

Water bore diseases cause children to be sick resulting in high absentee rate in schools thus creating education and literacy issues. It is estimated that worldwide 272 million school days are lost each year due to WASH related issues.

It is also a serious health issue since water borne specially worm infection impairs physical development and reduces cognitive development among school going children Infact diarrhea is a leading cause of mortality among children.

The above factors also increase the cost of health care and education thus having economic implications. Thus the aim through the WinS project is to improve school attendance and education outcome through provisions of sustainable WASH services and education initiative in identified rural and urban school in Goa.

WASH aspects that was identified and implemented

After doing a gap analysis based on the survey the Rotary club identified the schools to undertake the WinS project which was covered the following aspects”-

1. Providing safe drinking water
2. Constructing/ renovating/ repairing toilets separately for boys & girls of the school.
3. Hand wash stations.
4. Menstrual hygiene management by way of vending machines and incinerators.
5. Behavioural change by way of training of teachers and orientation and supervision of students during hand washing.

School covered under WinS Project