ISLAMABAD: In the aftermath of the devastating 2024 floods that swept away homes and disrupted education across Sindh’s Badin district, the Government Girls Primary School (GGPS) Chanri has emerged as a symbol of resilience and revival.

Once ill-equipped to cope with repeated disasters, the school has been transformed into a safe space for both learning and shelter through UK support under the BRAVE (Building Resilience and Valuing Empowerment) programme.

The 2024 floods were not the first to batter Chanri village. Each time disaster struck, families took refuge in the school, with as many as 175 people crammed into its limited space. But conditions were dire — there were no toilets, no clean water, and no lights, recalled teacher and activist Faheem Ali Memon. Women and children suffered the most.

Through the BRAVE programme, implemented with Concern Worldwide and SAMI Foundation, the school has been upgraded with functioning toilets, handwashing stations, and a hand pump for clean drinking water. A 5kW solar power system now keeps lights and fans running even during outages, ensuring families can stay cool, safe, and connected during emergencies.

Enrollment has risen by 20 per cent, with more girls attending regularly.

“This support has brought back our dignity,” said Mairaj, a local elder. “Now, when floods come, our women and children have a clean, private place to stay. It is more than a shelter — it gives us strength.”

Speaking to APP, headmistress Ms Reeta praised the changes, noting that the upgrades have strengthened both learning and disaster preparedness. “The UK-supported upgrades were a blessing. Now we have electricity, water, and sanitation all the time. We can even stay connected during disasters and receive early warnings.”

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2025