Ensuring access to clean water, proper sanitation, and essential health services is fundamental to creating a safe and nurturing learning environment for children. In many parts of rural India, especially in regions like Agucha in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, schools continue to struggle with inadequate sanitation facilities, lack of clean drinking water, and limited awareness about hygiene practices. Recognizing these challenges, Fiinovation—one of the leading CSR consulting firms in India—implemented a comprehensive Health, Water, and Sanitation Project across 11 schools in the Agucha region, bringing meaningful and sustainable improvements to thousands of students.

This project stands as an excellent example of how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can address critical community needs and strengthen grassroots development. Through a combination of infrastructure improvement, behaviour-change interventions, and health promotion, the initiative has contributed significantly to creating healthier, safer, and more student-friendly school environments.

Understanding the Need : The Situation in Agucha, Bhilwara

Agucha is a semi-urban region in Bhilwara district known for its mining operations and rural settlements. While the area has experienced economic growth, essential school infrastructure has often lagged behind. Before the intervention, many schools lacked proper sanitation units, gender-segregated toilets, handwashing stations, and functional drinking water systems. Students, especially girls, were disproportionately affected due to social and cultural challenges tied to hygiene and menstrual health.

Teachers also faced difficulties in promoting regular handwashing practices and hygienic behaviour because the resources were simply not available. These gaps resulted in higher absenteeism rates, more frequent health issues, and reduced learning outcomes. Addressing these issues required a targeted and well-planned CSR initiative.

Fiinovation’s Role as a Leading CSR Consulting Firm

Fiinovation, recognized as one of the top CSR consulting firms in India, collaborated closely with corporate partners, local authorities, and school communities to design and implement a sustainable solution. Their approach included research-driven planning, community needs assessment, and identifying the right interventions that could create long-lasting improvement.

By leveraging their experience in CSR project design, monitoring, and evaluation, Fiinovation ensured that the program addressed both the infrastructural gaps and the behavioural challenges related to hygiene.

Key Components of the Health, Water, and Sanitation Project

The project was executed across 11 government schools in the Agucha region and focused on three major components:

1. Water Infrastructure Development

To ensure consistent access to safe drinking water, Fiinovation facilitated:

Installation and repair of drinking water stations

Water purification units to ensure safe and clean consumption

Maintenance support to sustain long-term functionality

Reliable access to clean water has directly reduced waterborne illnesses, improved student concentration, and ensured that children stay hydrated throughout the school day.

2. Sanitation Facility Improvement

Understanding the crucial role of hygienic sanitation in schools, the project included:

Construction and renovation of gender-segregated toilets

Installation of handwashing stations with soap and running water

Menstrual hygiene facilities and awareness sessions for adolescent girls

These improvements have boosted school attendance—especially for girls—and created a more dignified and secure environment for children.

3. Health and Hygiene Awareness Programs

Beyond infrastructure, Fiinovation emphasized behavioural change communication (BCC) to ensure long-term impact. Activities included:

Hygiene education workshops

Demonstrations on handwashing techniques

Interactive sessions on menstrual hygiene management

Health check-up camps with healthcare professionals

Distribution of hygiene kits

These efforts have empowered students, teachers, and even parents to embrace healthier habits, reducing preventable illnesses and improving overall well-being.

Impact of the Project on School Communities

The Health, Water, and Sanitation initiative has created measurable and visible impact across the 11 schools. Some key outcomes include:

Enhanced student attendance and reduced absenteeism due to illness

Improved learning environment and comfort levels

Higher awareness about personal hygiene and sanitation among students

Increased confidence among adolescent girls related to menstrual hygiene

Strengthened community involvement in maintaining school hygiene

Teachers have expressed that students are more disciplined about handwashing, using toilets responsibly, and maintaining cleanliness. Parents have also acknowledged the improvements, noting better health among their children.

A Model CSR Initiative for Rural India

Fiinovation’s project demonstrates how systematic planning, community-focused interventions, and effective CSR management can drive meaningful change. By prioritizing the fundamentals—clean water, sanitation, and health awareness—the initiative is helping build a stronger foundation for education and overall child development in Agucha, Bhilwara.

As CSR in India continues to expand, projects like this serve as benchmarks for how corporates and CSR consulting firms can partner to address real, on-ground challenges.

Conclusion

The Health, Water, and Sanitation Project implemented by Fiinovation in 11 schools of Agucha, Bhilwara, Rajasthan is a powerful example of how CSR can transform everyday realities for children. Through improved infrastructure and sustained behavioural change, the initiative has enhanced the quality of education and contributed to healthier school communities. As one of India’s leading CSR consulting firms, Fiinovation continues to drive impactful development programs that improve lives and build a healthier, more sustainable future for rural India.