Gramalaya, a Tiruchirapalli based NGO with support from Arghyam has undertaken a sustainable sanitation campaign in Thottiam block of Trichirapalli Dist, Tamil Nadu, covering 158 villages in 28 panchayats. Programme activities included more sanitation coverage with the involvement of CBOs, PLFs, etc., through various training for capacity building, strengthening the existing water supply systems, reduction of water borne and feacal oral transmission of diseases through hygiene education, safeguarding the infrastructures on water and sanitation, awareness creation on water conservation and preservation etc.

Gramalaya helped the local panchayat presidents through the women self-help groups to construct 18206 toilets during last year in 84 rural panchayats in Thottiyam, Thathaiengarpet and Thuraiyur Blocks. This has resulted in declaration of 56 open defecation free panchayats and Kattuputhur and Thathaiengarpet town panchayats. The construction of toilets was made possible because of the subsidy from TSC, loan from Guardian MFI, and the loans from commercial banks in the region.

Gramalaya also with the grant support of Rs.5,00,000/- from Arghyam and US $ 30,000 from WaterPartners International, USA support established the National Institute of Water and Sanitation (NIWAS) in Kolakkudipatti village of Thottiyam Block about 45 km from Tiruchirappalli. The building with 4000 sq.ft area is having a meeting hall and dormitory facilities for providing in house training for NGOs, representatives from International organizations working for water and sanitation, providing training on water and sanitation, school health for teachers, panchayat presidents, and women self-help groups. There are an average of 1000 visitors to Gramalaya rural, urban and tsunami projects through exposure visits from national, international organizations. more