Akhaltsikhe Kindergarten #1 Water and Sanitation Project – Georgia

Location
Akhaltsikhe, Akhaltsikhe municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti Region, Republic of Georgia

Community Description
The town of Akhaltsikhe serves as the capital of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region located in southwest Georgia. According to data collected during the 2002 census, 46,134 individuals live in the city and surrounding villages (approximately 20,000 in the city proper).

Akhaltiskhe is a diverse city, housing a significant minority population of ethnic Armenians (37%). Like many cities throughout the country, the rate of unemployment remains high, and a significant need for services and support exists.

One place where support is needed is at Akhaltsikhe Kindergarten #1. This school serves approximately 200 children between the ages of 2-5. The 23 teachers and caregivers at the school provide a nurturing environment for the children, but face challenges keeping the facilities sanitary due to a lack of running water throughout the school.

Currently, only one bathroom at the school has running water and a working toilet. This bathroom is located on the first floor of this two-story facility. The rest of the bathrooms, and the kitchen, have no running water.

Staff members currently transport water in buckets throughout the school to be used for cleaning, drinking, and cooking. This is a time-consuming and difficult task for workers, especially since large amounts of water must be carried upstairs where many of the classrooms and the kitchen are located.

In addition, having no running water to bathrooms used by young children makes it difficult to keep the children clean and dispose of bathroom waste in a sanitary manner. The lack of running water and working toilets in a school that serves so many young children remains the biggest ongoing obstacle for staff in providing high-quality care.

Project Description
This project is to provide running water throughout the school to serve 3 additional bathrooms and the kitchen. In addition, three toilets and two sinks will be repaired to full functionality.

Water Charity funds will be used to purchase the pipe, insulation, fittings, fixtures, and other materials, as well as to pay for the labor of installation.

The installation work will be done by a local contractor selected by the school. The school director will oversee the daily work and ensure it is completed on schedule.

Project Impact
200 children and 23 staff members will benefit from the project.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Kelley Gallagher

Comments
This project will create an immediate and significant improvement in the sanitary conditions of the school. Furthermore, the installation of the pipes will bring running water to the second floor of the building, eliminating the need for workers to carry heavy buckets of water multiple times each day.

Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00

Donations Collected to Date
$450.00

ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT NEEDED BELOW

Donations of any amount will be appreciated. The full amount will give you “naming rights”, if that is something you would like.

Any contributions in excess of the Dollar Amount of the Project will be allocated to other projects directed by this PCV and/or projects of other PCVs in this country.

Dollar Amount Needed
$105.00

This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.