Location
Kashka-Suu, Chui Oblast, Kyrgyzstan
Community Description
Kashka Suu is a primarily rural and agricultural village in Chui Oblast, located in the mountains south of Bishkek, the capital city. It is a small town containing only 2,000 residents, one of the smaller communities in the oblast.
The main source of income in the area is from agriculture, although some families supplement this income by working at the school or small shops in the village, or commuting to Bishkek for work. The average family size is 6 and the average income per family is 10,000 som a month.
Currently, very few buildings in the village have any running water, and most individuals use public spouts. Many schools in Kyrgyzstan deal with this problem by supplying free-standing sinks in which students can top-load water daily.
At the two schools, students and teachers haul water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. Without easy access to water, students resort to washing their hands in unclean streams, or do not do so at all.
Most students and staff eat lunch at school and use the restrooms at school. Students often attend school sick. Thus, the lack of handwashing stations has a strong effect on the level of hygiene and the spread of infectious diseases in schools.
Project Description
This project is to provide handwashing facilities in each of the two Kashka Suu village schools.
Two stand-alone handwashing stations will be placed at the primary school and two at the secondary school. The stations will be located at the entrance and near the cafeteria of each school.
Each station will be a free-standing piece of furniture in which water is added at the top, used through a sink, and exits into a bucket. The students on duty will be responsible for refilling the handwashing stations throughout the day.
Handwashing stations are sold by local vendors in Bishkek (about an hour away). Four stations will be purchased and transported to Kashka Suu. Project funds will be used to purchase and transport the units.
Any budgetary shortfall will be borne by the teachers of the school.
The Peace Corps volunteer in the village will teach proper handwashing techniques and basic hygiene to the students at the schools.
Project Impact
This project will directly benefit 220 people, including 195 students and 25 staff members.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Alexandra Biron
Comments
As water supply and drainage are not readily available, and a lot needs to be accomplished with a limited budget, the project uses the appropriate technology.
The increased access to proper hygiene is expected to lead to improved health, decreased rates of infection, and improved school attendance.
Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00
Donations Collected to Date
$0.00
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
$555.00
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.