ISLAMABAD, Monday, August 18, 2025 (WNP): The Government Girls Primary School (GGPS) Chanri in Badin has emerged as a symbol of resilience, rising from the devastation of the 2024 floods to become both a safe learning space and a lifeline for the community.

Once ill-equipped to handle repeated disasters, the school has been transformed under the UK-supported BRAVE (Building Resilience and Addressing Vulnerability in Emergencies) programme, implemented by Concern Worldwide and the SAMI Foundation.

For years, each disaster forced families to crowd into the school for shelter. During last year’s floods, as many as 175 people sought refuge inside. Conditions were dire: no toilets, no clean water, no electricity. “Women and children suffered the most,” recalled teacher and activist Faheem Ali Memon.

That reality has now changed. The school has been upgraded with functional toilets, handwashing stations, and a hand pump for clean drinking water. A 5KW solar power system now ensures fans and lights remain on even during outages, keeping families cool, safe, and connected in emergencies.

The improvements are strengthening education as well. Enrollment has risen by 20 percent, with more girls attending regularly. A student-led Hygiene Club is promoting healthy practices, spreading awareness from classrooms to households.

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

Headmistress Reeta echoed the sentiment, praising the upgrades for improving both learning and disaster preparedness. “The UK-supported changes were a blessing. Now we have electricity, water, and sanitation all the time. We can even stay connected during disasters and receive early warnings,” she said.

For Chanri’s residents, GGPS is no longer just a school. It is a beacon of safety, a hub of learning, and a source of renewed hope. As monsoon rains continue to threaten vulnerable communities across Pakistan, BRAVE’s model demonstrates how targeted support can turn schools into shelters of dignity and resilience.

GGPS Chanri’s journey reflects what is possible when immediate relief is paired with long-term planning: communities strengthened, dignity restored, and futures safeguarded.