In November 2022, a transformative project was completed at Shree Bagbachhala Basic School in Nuwakot, Nepal, addressing a fundamental issue that had persisted for over 20 years: the lack of access to clean, reliable water.
This small, remote school, home to 55 students and 5 teachers, had long struggled without a proper water supply, impacting everything from daily hydration to hygiene and meal preparation.
Thanks to a dedicated effort led by the Grace Educational Organisation in Nepal and its founders, Anthony Cox and Badri Aryal, the school now has 24-hour access to clean, fresh water, revolutionizing daily life for all.
The Challenge: Two Decades Without Water
For two decades, the absence of a reliable water source at Shree Bagbachhala Basic School created numerous hardships. Students had to bring their water from home, and when it ran out, they walked at least 10 minutes to the nearest source. This disrupted their learning and added a significant burden to their school day.
Teachers faced similar challenges, carrying water bottles from home and making trips to replenish supplies, detracting from their teaching responsibilities. The school’s cook, responsible for preparing daily meals, had to carry water to the kitchen, and the lack of water in the toilets further compounded the school’s hygiene issues.
These daily struggles painted a stark picture of the school’s needs. The basic rights to education and health were compromised without a proper water supply. The situation demanded a solution that would address immediate needs and provide a sustainable, long-term solution for the entire school community.
A Collective Effort: From Vision to Reality
Recognizing the urgent need for a sustainable water solution, the Grace Educational Organisation, with support from local community members and parents, initiated a project to bring clean water to the school. The total project cost was NPR 473,000, funded by NAFA and supported by parents and community members who contributed through volunteer labor.
The initiative was driven by the founders, Anthony Cox and Badri Aryal, who worked closely with NAFA Nepal to ensure the project’s success. The project was a true community effort, with parents actively participating by digging trenches for the water pipes and performing other essential tasks to help lay the groundwork for the water infrastructure.
The community’s involvement was critical to the project’s success. By participating in the physical labor, the parents and local volunteers ensured that the project costs were kept low and fostered a sense of ownership and commitment to maintaining the infrastructure. This collaborative spirit was a testament to the power of community-driven development, where everyone played a role in improving the quality of life for the children and staff at the school.
Overcoming Challenges: Engineering a Solution
The technical challenge of the project was significant. The nearest viable water source was 1.9 kilometers away from the school. To transport the water, the project team laid a pipeline across this distance and constructed two water tanks: a source tank at the water source and a 5,000-liter reserve tank at the school. The reserve tank is designed to hold enough water to meet the school’s needs, ensuring a steady supply throughout the day.
The entire project, from planning to completion, took just 22 days. This rapid turnaround was made possible by the dedicated efforts of everyone involved—parents, teachers, and local volunteers—who worked tirelessly to see the project through to completion. Their commitment and hard work ensured that the students and staff would have access to a clean, reliable water supply for the first time in the school’s history.
Impact: A New Chapter for Shree Bagbachhala Basic School
The completion of the water project has marked a new beginning for Shree Bagbachhala Basic School. With the new infrastructure in place, the school now enjoys 24-hour access to clean, fresh water all year round. This has drastically improved the quality of life for students, teachers, and staff. Students no longer need to worry about bringing water from home or fetching it during school hours, allowing them to focus entirely on their education.
Teachers and staff are also relieved of the burden of carrying water, freeing them to concentrate on their primary roles—teaching and caring for the students. The availability of running water in the toilets and kitchen has significantly improved hygiene standards, creating a healthier, more comfortable learning environment.
Moreover, this project has had a broader impact on the community. It has demonstrated what is possible when people come together to solve a common problem. The sense of community pride and ownership over the new water system is evident, as everyone contributed to making it a reality. The project has also set a precedent for how other communities in similar situations can work together to overcome challenges and improve their local schools.
A Model for Future Community-Led Development
The success of the water project at Shree Bagbachhala Basic School is an inspiring model for other communities facing similar challenges. It shows how targeted interventions, supported by international partnerships and driven by local commitment, can create lasting, positive change. The project’s rapid completion and the immediate improvement in the quality of life it brought to the school underscore the importance of involving local communities in every stage of development projects.
By empowering the local community to take charge of the project, the Grace Educational Organisation ensured that the water system would be completed efficiently and maintained in the long term. This approach fosters sustainability, as the community has a vested interest in the project’s continued success.
The project at Shree Bagbachhala Basic School illustrates the transformative power of collaboration and community spirit. It is a shining example of how even small-scale projects can profoundly impact individuals’ lives, particularly in remote and underserved areas. This water project has not only provided a practical solution to a long-standing problem but has also inspired hope and confidence in what can be achieved when people work together towards a common goal.
The new water system is more than just an infrastructure improvement; it is a testament to what can be achieved through determination, community effort, and effective partnership. Shree Bagbachhala Basic School is now a symbol of progress and hope for other communities striving to improve their educational environments. The success of this project has paved the way for future initiatives, proving that with the right support and community involvement, even the most challenging problems can be overcome.
