Health & Wellbeing
Advancing safe water, sanitation, and nutrition for healthier lives
In rural Odisha, improved health depends on more than access to healthcare. The quality of water, sanitation, nutrition, and care during early childhood continue to shape everyday wellbeing.
Public programmes have expanded access to water, sanitation, and nutrition support. Yet infrastructure alone does not guarantee healthier outcomes. Water quality declines, unsafe sanitation practices persist, and gaps in nutrition and early childcare continue to affect families.
Our work responds by building the infrastructure communities need, promoting behaviour change, and strengthening local systems that sustain health gains over time.
How We Respond
Building Infrastructure
We build water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure that communities own and manage, reducing exposure to waterborne disease.
Managing Water Quality
We support communities to regularly test, monitor, and manage drinking water quality, so safe water remains available and reliable over time.
Promoting Behavioural Change:
We work with communities to build lasting habits around sanitation, hygiene, and nutrition that reduce disease.
Nurturing Early Childhood
We establish and support rural crèches that provide young children with nutritious meals, early learning, and care.
Strengthening Nutrition Choices
We promote backyard nutrition gardens and community awareness to improve everyday food practices.
Using Technology and Best Practices
We introduce tested technologies and proven approaches, from water treatment to child sanitation tools, that communities can adopt and sustain.
Spotlight
20-village study in Rayagada finds safer drinking water
A 2026 UC Berkeley-led study found that Gram Vikas-supported water treatment systems reduced harmful bacteria by 70% while lowering women’s…
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Health in Action
Odisha’s Phirikinali village achieves 100% sanitation
In Phirikinali, women built toilets and bathrooms for every household, improving sanitation, dignity, and safety.
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How a wooden potty changed child faeces management in Odisha
In Ganjam district, families adopted safer child faeces disposal practices through behaviour change support and simple household tools.
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In Khatuakuda, water and sanitation changed long-held practices
Once reliant on open defecation, Khatuakuda village adopted water and sanitation systems that changed hygiene practices over time.
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Partner for Impact
Over 50 national and global donors collaborate with Gram Vikas to strengthen community-led development in rural Odisha. Join us in advancing long-term change. Write to us at ed@gramvikas.org.
Our Priorities
We strengthen people’s capabilities to act on six priorities for rural resilience.
Climate Resilience
Restoring water, land, and forests to secure the natural foundations of village life.
Enterprises & Markets
Expanding income and enterprise opportunities where people live and work.
Youth & Opportunities
Equipping young people to learn, earn, and lead.
Local Governance
Enabling Panchayats and village institutions to act for collective good.
Equity & Inclusion
Ensuring everyone has a stake and a voice in progress.
