Alwaleed Philanthropies "Global" Initiative, in collaboration with SPLASH, drives sustainable health programs in India and Ethiopia

In Alwaleed Philanthropies “ Global” ongoing commitment to promoting sustainable health programs worldwide and ensuring a brighter future for children, it has partnered with SPLASH to implement a project focused on constructing hand-washing stations in Kolkata, India, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“Wash in Schools for Everyone" aims to reach all government schools and make a lasting impact on one million children by 2023. This project focuses on providing clean water, improved sanitation, and hygiene education. It also tackles the often-neglected topic of menstrual health. It's a comprehensive effort to create a better future for every child.

With a clear vision in mind, " Wash in Schools for Everyone" has set forth a series of ambitious goals. First and foremost, the project aims to ensure the long-term sustainability and local ownership of its initiatives by securing financial contributions from the government. By involving key stakeholders and fostering a sense of ownership, they strive to create a lasting impact on the communities they serve.

Improving WASH infrastructure stands as a critical objective for the project. By providing access to clean water, proper sanitation facilities, and hygiene resources, they seek to create an enabling environment that encourages healthy behaviours. This holistic approach recognizes that infrastructure plays a vital role in shaping behaviour and fostering positive habits.

Promoting behaviour change is another crucial goal of the project. By instilling good hygiene practices in children and school staff, they aim to create a culture of cleanliness and responsibility. This not only benefits the immediate community but also has a ripple effect, as individuals carry these behaviours into their homes and beyond.

Understanding the challenges and stigmas surrounding menstruation, the project seeks to leverage the social ecosystem surrounding menstruating girls. By targeting male peers, parents, and older peers, they aim to address barriers and eliminate stigmas related to menstruation more comprehensively. This approach aims to create a supportive and inclusive environment that empowers girls and provides them with the resources and knowledge they need.

Lastly, "Project WISE" is determined to develop a scalable, durable, and cost-efficient WASH in schools model. By creating an effective blueprint, they strive to enable successful replication beyond the initial target cities and countries. This approach ensures that their impactful interventions can be extended to more regions, benefiting countless children worldwide.

The project unfolded over a duration from 2020 to 2022, dedicated to bringing about tangible change within a limited timeframe. The beneficiaries of this remarkable initiative have been numerous, with a significant number of children and adults benefitting from their interventions.

India: In India, they reached an impressive total of 142,972 children and adults by implementing the project activities. In 2022 alone, an additional 56,675 children and adults benefited from their interventions. To bring about behavioural change, the project successfully completed training programs in 203 new schools and conducted refresher training for 140 schools that had received prior training before the COVID-19 closures. Moreover, to address menstrual health challenges, they implemented a peer mentoring program in 10 schools and introduced a male engagement module in 5 schools, ensuring a comprehensive approach to this important issue.

Ethiopia: In Ethiopia, the project achieved a significant milestone by securing the buy-in of the Ethiopian government. This endorsement highlighted the recognition and support received from key stakeholders. The impact has been even more profound, with a total of 504,495 individuals benefiting from the project to date. Furthermore, the project expanded its reach to Bahir Dar, another city in Ethiopia, and successfully implemented programs in 16 schools. This expansion demonstrated the scalability and effectiveness of their approach, paving the way for future replication in other regions. In the coming year, a further 163,543 children and adults will have their lives positively influenced by the project's interventions.

“Wash in Schools for Everyone” showcased the power of collaboration, innovation, and holistic thinking in tackling pressing challenges related to water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health. Through tireless efforts and dedication that Alwaleed Philanthropies “Global” have put along with its partner SPLASH, a significant progress towards the set goals of benefiting one million children has been made. As the project continues to unfold, it is poised to leave a lasting impact on the lives of countless children, transforming schools into environments that promote health, dignity, and equal opportunities for all.