ChildFund Sri Lanka transforms lives of communities in Batticaloa with water and sanitation facilities

Towards its ongoing commitment to transformative Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) interventions, ChildFund Sri Lanka has successfully concluded a two-year project ensuring water and sanitation facilities in schools and communities in the Vavunativu Divisional Secretariat in the Batticaloa District.

For communities in the area, the scarcity of water for drinking and washing was a significant issue. Having been affected by the war, these communities experienced further challenges exacerbated by seasonal effects of drought and floods and limited water sources due to the geographical ground water level. Their health and children’s education also suffered due to lack of access to clean water.

Bringing water to these communities, the ChildFund Sri Lanka project strove to enhance the health status of especially marginalized and vulnerable children and their families through the provision of pure drinking water, hygiene facilities and practices in several locations. Beneficiaries of the project included six villages and 30 schools comprising over 5000 children and nearly 8000 adults in Batticaloa district.

The ‘Water and Sanitation in Schools and Communities in Batticaloa District – Phase 2 Project’ has ensured a community-based water supply scheme where residents of Kothiyapulai now receive water direct to their homes through individual connections. The project also provides water and sanitation facilities for six learning centers and 30 schools in the Vavunativu division and helps families apply proper health, hygiene, and sanitation practices after the completion of awareness programs.

ChildFund Sri Lanka Business Development Director Dinantha Thambavita said, “At ChildFund we understand that poor access to safe drinking water, lack of sanitation facilities and good hygiene practices in school poses significant challenges to child education. Together with our partners we have been able to collaborate and improve lives with the promise of ensuring improved health outcomes and school performance.”