Shree Jayanti Secondary School Water & Sanitation project

A Gurkha Meal to raise funds for this project held on 26^th June at Stafford Grammar school proved very successful. The event was attended by 200 Rotarians and friends, including the Mayor & Mayoress of Stafford Rtn/Cllr Councillor Philip Leason and Mrs Edith Leason, together with District Governor Robyn Davies and past DG Trevor Davies.  Food was prepared and served by the catering dept of 248 Squadron Gurkha Signals Squadron and those present were entertained by a Gurkha piper, and by a performance of the famous Gurkha Kukri Dance.

Note: it has been necessary to change the projects previously envisaged to this project due to scheduling problems.  This project is planned to complete by Spring 2023.

The water and sanitation project is at Shree Jayanti Secondary School in the village of Kharigaira, Dailekh District in the east of Nepal. The school provides education for 447 students who are taught by a total of 23 teachers.

The condition of the toilet rooms is poor and there is no regular or consistent supply of water. In addition, the school staff are currently sharing the toilet facilities with the students. The school currently only has one source of water for drinking purposes; however water is only provided two times a day, early in the morning and again late at night. 

Funds for this project have been raised jointly by 4 local Rotary Clubs (Eccleshall, Stafford, Stafford Castle & Stafford Knot, with significant assistance from the locally based 248 Gurkha Signal Squadron and is the 3^rd such project jointly funded in the last 6 years.  A substantial grant has also been made by The Rotary Foundation charity towards the total cost of the project -  just £7,062

The use of premises and equipment by Stafford Grammar School was a key element in the success of our fundraising and is gratefully acknowledged.

The Gurkha Welfare Trust who are commissioning the work will construct a new toilet block close to the main school building. This will consist of an additional four rooms which will provide gender-separate and disabled access toilets. Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) toilet blocks are also to be constructed.

GWT also propose to install two news water tanks which will provide a more reliable water supply and new pipework will improve the availability of drinkable water and handwashing facilities in the new toilet block.

A hygiene awareness programme will also be delivered in the school to advocate for handwashing and proper use of the toilets.  Following completion of the project, the school will be monitored to ensure the school is being properly maintained.