As part of the Sugadharam project, we renovated the girls’ toilets at PUPS Thirupatchur in Thiruvallur.
Toilet Renovation at PUPS Thirupatchur
Under Asha’s project Sugadharam, we take up the renovation of toilets in schools supported by us. This largely depends on the availability of funds. This year we took up the renovation work at PUPS Thirupatchur. This school has been a part of our Project Sangamam and we have been associated with it for over10 years. Additionally, both this school and the GHS Thirupatchur, also in the same campus are extremely supportive of Asha. Most of the Asha Chennai monthly meeting, many of our ACE teacher training sessions etc. are organized in this school’s facilities.
We generally take up renovation work during vacation so that the students are not disturbed by the construction. The work here was taken up before the Christmas break in December 2025. The girls’ toilet was in a bad shape and needed repairs.
Since the toilets were in poor condition, a lot of work had to be done. We hired local masons who have previously worked on other Sugadharam projects to work on the renovation of these toilets. We started by cleaning up the overgrowth around the area. The old Indian style toilet was removed to be replaced with a new western toilet.
A new hand wash basin and taps were installed and the plumbing was replaced.
A fresh coat of paint was applied to the entire building.
Since the floor space outside the toilets were damaged, it was dug out and new cemented floor was provided.
A new metal roof has been installed for the toilet. In earlier years, the school was surrounded by open spaces with few neighboring structures. Today, however, few buildings adjoin the school premises. To ensure privacy for the girls, the roof has become an essential addition.
Asha volunteer and project coordinator, Mr. Rajaraman visited the school during the construction to oversee the progress. The toilets were ready for use once the children returned from their December vacation.
In villages where student dropouts from government schools are not uncommon, we believe that providing improved sanitation facilities will help restore trust in schools and encourage regular attendance. By investing in toilet renovations, we are not only addressing a basic need but also laying the foundation for healthier learning environments.