WASH project in Adjara started in 2015 and completed in 2021. The project was funded by USAID.
The main goal of the project was the significant improvement of WASH infrastructure in 25 schools and 10 PHCs, tangible positive shift in WASH behaviour among school children, teachers and PHC Primary healthcare Centers) personnel in the target rural communities and enhancement of the sense of ownership among the target community members by means of community mobilization and stimulation of more communication between local communities, municipal and regional (of Adjara) governments. These goals were attained through the implementation of the three gross components of the project: infrastructure rehabilitation, education and community mobilization.
The project produced a visible change in two areas: physical infrastructure and behaviour. In compliance with the USAID strategic goals and priorities in Georgia, the project achieved the following: 1. The project activities targeted the rural areas of epidemiologically most disadvantaged region of Georgia (Adjara); 2. 25 rural schools and 10 PHCs have significantly improved WASH infrastructure; 3. The WASH Committees were established to oversee the project course and ensure further sustainability of achieved results; 4. PHC personnel (30 persons), school teachers, school board members (250 persons), peer-educators (250 children) and students (approximately 3,000 children) were trained according to the WASH guidelines; 5. Community mobilization kits (containing educational materials and WASH message-bearing packets) were produced and disseminated 6. Data analysis on WASH knowledge and practices before and after certain project interventions were performed.
The project enjoyed the in-kind contrubution for Colgate-Palmolive in form of donation of the followign hygienic items: toothpaste, tooth brush and liquid soap.
An additional financial support from the Coca-Cola Foundation through Global Water Challenge and CARE International in the Caucasus allowed to add 8 more rural schools to effort in Adjara and Guria Regions.
