You Can Give Kids in India Clean Water

Dear Friends and Supporters of Splash,

We hope as the end of the year nears that you are well and healthy. We have said it before and we will most definitely echo the same sentiment: thank you for continuing to be invested in our shared mission. 2020, for all its unforeseen events and circumstances, has been a year that has brought to light the importance of organizational pivots, continued learning, and sustained support. It has also surfaced a question that many of us have faced throughout this time – how does work, as we know it, continue amidst an ever-changing landscape?

With schools closed in Kolkata, India and no current confirmed date of reopening, Manish Joshi [Project WISE & Interim Kolkata Country Director] has shared with us a few updates on the progression of Project WISE work in India:

• Sub-contractors have undergone training on infrastructure quality control and data recording.
• Infrastructure work [drinking and handwashing stations] is completed at 28 campuses and is in progress at 16 campuses.
• Technical walkthroughs have been completed at an additional 15 campuses.
• The global Menstrual Health (MH) team and MH lead in Kolkata continue to build out the overall program with focus on virtual training and support, with 4 School Mobilizers receiving the MH training via the digital module.

Splash hopes to receive communication regarding a reopening date of schools in Kolkata shortly, but as of right now it is projected to be early 2021. Until then, our team is busy and ready to serve kids when the time comes for them to safely re-enter the classroom. We look forward to updating you during our next status report.

From all of us at Splash, thank you for you continued support.

The Splash Team

A message from Splash’s Project WISE & Interim Kolkata Country Director, Manish Joshi:

Greetings! We in Kolkata are passing through unprecedented time of COVID19, coupled with Cyclone Amphan. Who would have imagined that schools would shut down for such long period? But this is our hour of need and we must aim to keep our children and communities safe. The water and sanitation projects Splash implements are going through the same difficult phase with schools being closed. However, we are still able to complete some of the infrastructure work required to ensure that kids have access to WASH facilities when they return to school. This includes installing water filtration systems, drinking and handwashing stations, and constructing new toilets. In Kolkata, infrastructure work is progressing at eight campuses.  

Splash India, along with our implementation partner in Kolkata, are preparing for the next round of interventions at your schools as soon as we are able. I do appreciate school administrations for being strong during this time and recognize your efforts in distributing the mid-day meal rations to families in need.

I take this opportunity to thank students; parents for keeping children safe; school leadership and teams; government leadership and its team; our donors; government agencies; and Splash India & Splash United States team. 

Please keep on washing hands and stay safe!

Warm regards!

Manish Joshi