Varthana Secures $6 mn Loan to Extend Safe Water Access in Schools
Access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities is a fundamental human right, essential for the health, dignity, and well-being of individuals, particularly children. In India, where millions of students attend schools with inadequate or non-existent WASH facilities, the situation is dire. To address this critical issue, Varthana, a leading education-focused financing company, has secured a $6 million loan from WaterEquity, a social impact investment firm dedicated to improving access to safe water and sanitation in emerging markets.
The loan will enable Varthana to expand its efforts to provide safe water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in underserved schools across India. The funds will be utilized to support infrastructure upgrades, new installations, and maintenance of WASH systems, ultimately benefiting thousands of students in low-income communities. By improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, Varthana aims to enhance the overall health, attendance, and learning outcomes of students in these schools.
The State of WASH in Indian Schools
The lack of access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in Indian schools is a long-standing issue. According to a report by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, in 2020, only 62% of schools in the country had access to functional toilets, while 55% had access to drinking water facilities. The situation is even more dire in rural areas, where 40% of schools lack access to functional toilets, and 30% lack access to drinking water facilities.
This scarcity of WASH facilities has severe consequences on the health, attendance, and academic performance of students. Without access to safe water and sanitation facilities, students are more likely to contract water-borne diseases, such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid. This, in turn, leads to increased absenteeism, decreased learning outcomes, and a higher dropout rate.
Varthana’s Efforts to Improve WASH in Schools
Varthana has been working tirelessly to address the WASH crisis in Indian schools. With a strong focus on education and a commitment to improving the learning outcomes of students, the company has been providing financing solutions to schools to upgrade their infrastructure, including WASH facilities.
The $6 million loan from WaterEquity will enable Varthana to scale up its efforts and reach more schools across the country. The funds will be utilized to support the construction of new WASH facilities, upgrade existing ones, and provide maintenance and repair services to ensure that these facilities are functional and well-maintained.
Impact of the Loan
The loan from WaterEquity is expected to have a significant impact on the lives of thousands of students in low-income communities. By providing access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, Varthana aims to:
- Improve health outcomes: By reducing the incidence of water-borne diseases, Varthana expects to see a significant improvement in the health outcomes of students.
- Increase attendance: With access to safe water and sanitation facilities, students are more likely to attend school regularly, leading to improved learning outcomes.
- Enhance learning outcomes: By providing a safe and healthy learning environment, Varthana expects to see an improvement in the academic performance of students.
- Promote gender equality: The availability of safe and private sanitation facilities will particularly benefit female students, who are often forced to drop out of school due to the lack of such facilities.
Conclusion
The $6 million loan from WaterEquity to Varthana is a significant step towards addressing the WASH crisis in Indian schools. By providing financing solutions to upgrade WASH facilities in underserved schools, Varthana is committed to improving the health, attendance, and learning outcomes of students in low-income communities. As a responsible and socially conscious organization, Varthana is dedicated to creating a positive impact on the lives of thousands of students across the country.
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