IndiaCSR News Netwrok
NASHIK: An NGO from Australia, ”We Can’t Wait’, along with Rotary Club and ‘I make a difference’ (Imad), a city based social organisation have joined hands to build toilets at schools. The NGO plans to construct 15 toilets in various schools in and outside the city areas as a part of a pilot project.
Mark Balla, founder of the NGO, said his organisation focused on school sanitation and was opening education opportunities for girls. “We also focus on spreading awareness about situation in India and raising awareness and money for the cause,” he said.
A bhoomipujan was held at a private school located in Nashik Road on Friday as part of the project, while an event was held to make children aware of the importance of washing hands.
Balla decided to contribute to the cause when he visited Dharavi slums in Mumbai with his 13-year-old daughter about four years ago. “During my visit, I found out that there were teenage girls who quit school as these had no toilets. My daughter was excited about her future education and hence it concerned me about the girls who had to quit because of sanitation issues. This is one of the major concerns for less education among girls which should be addressed,” he added.
Balla found a person through his business network and decided to create awareness and build toilets starting from Nashik who plan to build toilets in at least 30 schools.
Complimenting about Swachha Bharat Abhiyan, that has already been initiated to address the issue, he said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has focused on the understanding of the world and addressed the crisis of sanitation.”
He said that he came across people speaking about constructing toilets for security and dignity of women and aimed for them. However, they are equally important for men too. Balla feels that the government should take expertise of NGO’s and corporate companies to complete this herculean task.
“Statistics reveal that there are about two lakh schools having no toilets at all, while another 4 lakh where toilets exist but are not in use. Hence the task is difficult and changing the mindset is important,” he added.
