Poor hygiene, inadequate quantity and quality of drinking water and lack of sanitation facilities causes thousands of deaths from preventable diseases each year in India. Many victims are women and children from rural areas who suffer chronic poverty and underdevelopment.

In Vellore a scarcity of water and lack of access or misuse of available water is compounded by a lack of sanitary systems and the fact that hygiene is not seen as a priority in many of the rural households.

Malnutrition and diahorrea caused by unsafe water are common problems, especially among children in Vellore. In addition, finding and transporting water remains the responsibility of women and young girls. This means that girls have less access to education.

The Drinking Water Sanitation & Hygiene Project aims to improve community health and productivity by providing access to a safe water supply for twelve identified villages. The project provides water pumps, tanks, drainage, hygienic latrine facilities and boreholes. The project also provides community management and education workshops on sanitation, health and hygiene. Brouchers, special classes drama and dance are used to raise community awareness of sanitation and hygiene.

This project is carried out in 12 villages and involves over 8000 people from over 2000 households. These families will benefit from access to clean water facilities and education regarding health and hygiene.

2011 Update

Having extended to 12 villages, this project has reached over 8000 people in Vellore. Households have access to a sustainable and safe source of water as well as increased awareness of good hygiene practice and other health related issues.

Brochures on safe water, sanitation and hygiene have been distributed to each family and special hygiene practice classes have been carried out for mothers and children.

Downloadable Resources:

Project Sheet