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The Mumbai slums, PHASE India

The most recent location for PHASE implementation is in Mumbai, India. By focusing efforts on 12 schools in the Bainganwadi and East Dharavi districts, it is estimated that over 24,000 children and families will benefit from the education, support and sustainable models for personal hygiene and healthcare that PHASE offers. In addition to going into schools, this PHASE project will also be introduced into 10 children’s shelters across India, reaching another 500 children.

Both the Bainganwadi and East Dharavi districts are slum areas. With closely built homes, unmaintained roads, poor waste management and freely roaming livestock there is a huge need for good hygiene and sanitation education. PHASE, with its simple handwashing and personal hygiene messages, has the potential to save many lives and prevent many others from falling ill. The schools that will be targeted by PHASE are known to have inadequate hygiene and sanitation facilities, so a key objective of this project is to ensure the establishment of appropriate hygiene infrastructures in these areas.

The PHASE materials used in India are developed in consultation with the schoolchildren and teachers who will be using them. All teachers on the PHASE programme receive specialist training to allow PHASE to be taught successfully in the classroom, with a further focus on reaching out into the wider community. This is facilitated by the formation of ‘Cleanliness Committees’, lead by the pupils themselves with a range of workshops and events for parents. The consultation process, materials design and community involvement are hallmarks of the PHASE programme.

GSK’s partner for PHASE in India is Pratham, one of the largest non-profits working in the primary education sector in India.  It has been in existence since 1994, developing a strong network within almost every state in India, helping over 500,000 children. Pratham exists to improve children’s learning by facilitating access to education and increasing attendance in mainstream schools. GSK is working in close partnership with Pratham to ensure that as many children as possible will reached by PHASE, improving hygiene behaviour and leading to better health and brighter futures.

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