All For The Wins
Last year, Dist 3141 WinS committee undertook Project 750 Dhaal in the 752 Zilla Parishad schools of Palghar
district. It was to provide them with 1142 handwash stations. The Rotary Club of Bombay led the charge with a Global Grant of US$ 264,465 to cover 600 schools (a total of 775 HWS).
In addition, RCs of Bombay Seacoast, Bombay West, Mumbai Ghatkopar and Mumbai Divas, together with invaluable logistical support being provided by RC Palghar, joined hands to provide HWS stations to a further 78 schools. This was all enabled by a generous donation by our Rtn. Dilip Piramal and VIP Industries Ltd. Another Club had pledged to do the balance 74 schools but could not do so. RCB has taken over that commitment this year and will ensure completion of the project.
The project was to be inaugurated in June 2020 originally by RIPE Shekhar Mehta but got delayed due to the pandemic. Despite this, the WinS committee of 19-20 has collaborated with the hardware supplier, Nilkamal Industries and their local implementation partner, Sacred, to go all out now and complete this project.
The course curriculum has been designed by UNICEF and not only will we be training students, teachers and parents in the necessity and advantages of HWS but also providing vital information on menstrual hygiene management (MHM) to
adolescent girls.
The HSW has been specially designed by RCB in consultation with its partners and provides a unique, low cost, pilfer-proof, light weight and durable solution which is ergonomically designed.
We have been imparting training and advocacy on usage and advantages of Hand Washing to school management councils despite the schools being closed. The principals have been receptive and eager to have these installed and have opened schools and mobilised teachers for training. The training of school children in hand washing and its advocacy together with Menstrual Hygiene Management will be imparted once schools reopen.
RCB found that some schools were even reached by boat! This project was to complete last year but spilled over to this year due to the COVID situation. The balance 400 schools are under completion and we hope to complete them by November 2020.
The project has now assumed extraordinary importance in view of the current needs. The project was headed by Rtn. Siddharth Bhimrajka under the able guidance of 19-20 Chairman Rtn. Abhinav Aggarwal and 20-21 Chairman Rtn. Abhishek Saraf. Tremendous work by the team.
