A social initiative of Powai Bengali Welfare Association · since 2024

Project WASH

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

Restoring dignity · Health · School participation

A mass impact, transformational programme by PBWA since 2024 to repair and reconstruct dilapidated school toilets in Maharashtra, bringing sustainable change to sanitation infrastructure and hygienic, functional facilities to its schools.

Zilla Parishad schools in the programme

schools renovated so far

5,673

children impacted

NITI Aayog

recognised Best Practice

A NITI Aayog Best Practice

A sanitation success story in Talasari, Maharashtra

“Project WASH: A Sanitation Success Story in Talasari Schools” is featured on the NITI Aayog website under Best Practices.

Recognised as a Best Practice

By NITI Aayog, Government of India, under “Curated initiatives and case studies from across India and the world, to inspire learning, sharing, and adoption.”

A replicable model

Considered “a replicable model for other rural and underserved areas looking to enhance education through better hygiene infrastructure.”

In the Compendium of Best Practices

Included in the Compendium of Best Practices, Stories of Change: Aspirational Districts and Blocks, under “Basic infrastructure and social development.”

Why it matters

Every child has the right to a quality education

The belief

Every child has the right to a quality education, which includes universal and equitable access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services while at school. Children spend a significant portion of their day at school, where improved sanitation, clean water and proper hygiene can positively impact learning, health and dignity, particularly for girls.

Mission objective

To repair and reconstruct school toilets in 77 Zilla Parishad schools at Talasari, Palghar District, Maharashtra, enhancing hygiene and sanitation infrastructure in line with best practices.

The objective is aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education) and 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

SDG Target 4.a

“Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.”

SDG Target 6.2

“By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.”

SDG Target 6.b

“Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.”

Where we work

About Talasari

90.6%

of the population belongs to Scheduled Tribes

57%

literacy rate

90%+

of people below the poverty line

214

hamlets across 46 villages and 21 Gram Panchayats

Talasari is a tribal taluka and one of the most underdeveloped blocks in the country. It is designated an aspirational block under NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Block Program, to ensure accelerated development.

The need at Talasari

What the baseline assessment found

Inadequate toilet infrastructure
Many school toilets non-functional, lacking water, soap and proper drainage
Low functionality and hygiene standards in existing facilities
Poor sanitation leading to health issues and dropouts, especially among girls

The PBWA WASH model

Infrastructure, water and behavioural change

A proven intervention combining infrastructure, water and behavioural change.

Rebuild

Water supply

Functionality

Awareness

Sustainability

Trust and transparency

Implementation

School-wise fact sheet

Project WASH at Talasari is monitored jointly by three partners:

Powai Bengali Welfare Association

Panchayat Samiti, Talasari

Block Education Department, Talasari

schools renovated

clusters across Talasari Taluka

5,673

students enrolled

2,896

boys

2,777

girls

Zari cluster

ZP School Dongari Harsanpada
Std 1 to 8 · 428 students (218 boys, 210 girls)
UDISE 27361300505

ZP School Girgaon Dolharpada
Std 1 to 8 · 254 students (129 boys, 125 girls)
UDISE 27361303101

ZP School Kawada Thakarpada
Std 1 to 10 · 788 students (386 boys, 402 girls)
UDISE 27361304202

ZP School Zari Pondhapada
Std 1 to 8 · 206 students (105 boys, 101 girls)
UDISE 27361304402

Girgaon cluster

ZP School Dhimaniya Vanjarpada
Std 1 to 8 · 367 students (182 boys, 185 girls)
UDISE 27361300603

ZP School Sambha Patilpada
Std 1 to 8 · 198 students (102 boys, 96 girls)
UDISE 27361300801

ZP School Dongari Vilatpada
Std 1 to 10 · 625 students (309 boys, 316 girls)
UDISE 27361303301

Talasari cluster

ZP School Talasari Bobapada
Std 1 to 8 · 263 students (134 boys, 129 girls)
UDISE 27361301202

ZP School Talasari Ibhadpada No. 1
Std 1 to 5 · 53 students (24 boys, 29 girls)
UDISE 27361303401

ZP School Shetki Shala
Std 1 to 8 · 521 students (291 boys, 230 girls)
UDISE 27361303603

Amgaon cluster

ZP School Amagaon Patilpada
Std 1 to 10 · 371 students (180 boys, 191 girls)
UDISE 27361300102

ZP School Achhad Industries
Std 1 to 8 · 215 students (108 boys, 107 girls)
UDISE 27361300204

Udhawa cluster

ZP School Udhawa Marathi
Std 1 to 10 · 847 students (421 boys, 426 girls)
UDISE 27361302209

Vasa cluster

ZP School Vasa Arsipada
Std 1 to 8 · 227 students (117 boys, 110 girls)
UDISE 27361301701

Nanapada cluster

ZP School Vevaji Nanapada
Std 1 to 8 · 310 students (190 boys, 120 girls)
UDISE 27361301913

Work done at every school

Renovation of girls' and boys' toilet blocks

5,673 children

now have safe, clean and working toilets at school

15 Zilla Parishad schools renovated across 7 clusters of Talasari Taluka

Impact to date

WASH-led change

Out of the 77 schools, PBWA has reconstructed and renovated toilets in 15 schools, impacting 5,673 children.
An impact assessment case study of nine Zilla Parishad schools at Talasari, comparing 2024 with 2023, shows positive enrollment trends.
PBWA played a key role in helping the block administration achieve a Key Performance Indicator under NITI Aayog's Aspirational Block Program.

Assessed by the Block Development Office

13 school toilets renovated in 2024 alone

Measurable KPI improvement

Absenteeism rate

Baseline
2022-23

Today
2024-25

ZP School

22.6%

8.7%

Dingari School

24.3%

9.5%

Dropout rate

Baseline
2022-23

Today
2024-25

ZP School

6.8%

2.1%

Dingari School

5.7%

1.6%

Better attendance. Lower dropouts. Stronger learning outcomes.

Testimonials

In their own words

Excerpts from letters PBWA has received from the block administration and the schools. Click a letter to read it in full.

“We are pleased to acknowledge that, in 2024 alone, your organization has renovated 13 school toilets, making them safer, more accessible, and hygienic for students.”

Dr. Vaibhav Saple, Block Development Officer

Panchayat Samiti Talasari, Palghar District

“Your invaluable support has significantly improved the hygiene and sanitation conditions for our 191 boys and 175 girls. This initiative has particularly benefited our female students, who now feel more secure and comfortable at school.”

Headmaster and Staff

Zilla Parishad School, Dhimaniya Vanjarpada

“Your generous help has greatly benefited our 154 boys and 166 girls, providing them with much-needed hygiene and sanitation facilities. This has made a big difference, especially for the girls, who now feel more comfortable and safer in school.”