IMPROVING WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE (WASH) CONDITIONS IN RURAL GEORGIAN SCHOOLS: CHALLENGES AND IMPACTS IN ADJARA REGIONS

Abstract

Access to safe and adequate water supply, sanitation conditions, and hygiene practices in schools is a prerequisite for providing a complete basic education opportunity for students. Growing up in a clean and safe environment is a fundamental right of every child. Access to safe water, adequate sanitation systems, and good hygiene practices not only support children’s development but also provide them with the opportunity to start life in a healthy way. In Georgia, almost all schools face WASH-related issues. Some schools fully meet water, hygiene, and sanitation standards, while others provide services at a very low level, and some are completely marginalized, which increases the risk of infectious disease spread

The aim of this study is to evaluate projects that were implemented in Georgia to address WASH-related challenges and introduce innovative WASH guidelines and educational standards. The study focuses on the projects carried out by the Georgian Medical Group (GMG) between 2015 and 2021, which aimed to improve water access, sanitation facilities, and hygiene practices in rural schools. The project was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Coca-Cola Foundation, with partners including Global Water Challenge, New World, and CARE International