KATHMANDU, MARCH 1 In the rural community of Teliya, access to safe drinking water was once a daily struggle. For years, families relied on contaminated stream water and rain-fed pits, exposing themselves to waterborne diseases and undermining sanitation practices. Today, that reality has changed. Through a collaborative initiative led by the Partnership for Sustainable Development Nepal (PSDN) Rupandehi , with financial support from Protecttol Health– Protecttol Water Initiatives, newly installed hand pumps are delivering safe, reliable drinking water to 70 households-benefiting 336 community members-and to a local community school serving 150 students. Despite national progress in water and sanitation coverage, many rural communities in Nepal remain underserved. Teliya was one such community, where limited infrastructure and geographic challenges left families without dependable access to clean water. Women and children often walked long distances to fetch water from unsafe sources, sacrificing time for education and productive work. The lack of safe water had far-reaching consequences. Frequent illness caused by contaminated water affected health, school attendance, and household productivity. Insufficient water supply also led to the dysfunction of household toilets, forcing some families to revert to open defecation-undermining years of progress toward improved sanitation and dignity. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, PSDN worked closely with local stakeholders to design and implement a sustainable solution centered on community participation and long-term impact The installation of hand pumps in Teliya represents more than the construction of physical infrastructure-it marks a turning point in public health and social well-being. With safe water now available near their homes, families no longer depend on polluted streams. The immediate health benefits are already visible, with reduced exposure to waterborne diseases and improved hygiene practices. Access to sufficient water has enabled households to restore and properly use their toilets, strengthening sanitation behavior and reinforcing community-wide hygiene standards. The initiative aligns with global commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 6: ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. By focusing on underserved populations, the project contributes to reducing inequality and promoting inclusive development.