AWS InCommunities Establishes New Oxygen Generation Plant and Renovates School to Strengthen Rural Infrastructure in Telangana

Oxygen plant is built to support up to 100 beds at the Maheshwaram Community Health Center; the renovated Zilla Parishad High School will support students from Hythabad and 15 neighbouring villages

Hyderabad: While schools are the foundation of learning, the best learning outcomes require an environment that is comfortable and inspiring. However, for students and staff at the Zilla Parishad High School in Hythabad, even basic facilities were out of reach. They had to contend with damaged toilets, lack of access to drinking water, water seepage in classrooms, and a worn-out school building. Students were forced to sit on the floor since the school didn’t have benches and desks. Classrooms had damaged flooring, and lacked lights and fans. Cooking took place in often unsanitary conditions.

Come the new academic year, the school will welcome students to a newly renovated premises with clean and safe toilets, a cooking shed, and cheerful, freshly painted classrooms. The renovation of the school, along with the establishment of a new oxygen generator in Maheshwaram – both in Telangana’s Rangareddy district – were completed by AWS InCommunities, a community engagement program that focuses on creating a positive impact in the regions where Amazon Web Services (AWS) operates. These new initiatives have been implemented in collaboration with Concern India Foundation, a leading non-profit, public charitable trust.

Mrs. Sabitha Indra Reddy, Minister for Education, Telangana, who inaugurated the school facility today recognised AWS for the community relief work and said, “Education and healthcare are key pillars that support the goals of all-round rural development and the creation of a sustainable society. The unprecedented situation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic requires all sections of society, including corporates, to come together to tackle challenges such as gaps in schooling, and access to affordable and reliable healthcare. I would like to thank AWS for their help to build the rural infrastructure in Telangana.”

AWS InCommunities has been focused on implementing long-term community-focused programs in India since it commenced its initiatives in Maharashtra’s Navi Mumbai district in 2018, and has increased this focus in Telangana’s Rangareddy district since 2020.

The key objective of AWS InCommunities programs in the Rangareddy district is to develop sustainable villages, supported by an improved local economy, essential infrastructure, market linkages, connectivity and other necessary services. The major activities it has undertaken have been focused around strengthening the infrastructure of educational and health facilities and supporting community improvement and the environment through tree plantation and borewell recharge. It has also worked to build entrepreneurship awareness and opportunities among the community, along with providing critical support during the COVID-19 pandemic and generating livelihood.

Renovation and refurbishment of Zilla Parishad High School, Hythabad

Focusing on enhancing access to education, AWS has renovated the Zilla Parishad High School (ZPHS), Hythabad in the Shabad mandal (administrative division) of Rangareddy district, which attracts students from Hythabad and 15 neighbouring villages. This school was established in 1969 in the village of Hythabad and provides education for 323 students (174 girls and 149 boys) in grades six to ten with 15 teachers, and with Telugu and English as the medium of instruction.

AWS InCommunities consulted the school authorities to identify their needs to create a better learning environment for students. Based on discussions and technical assessment, the AWS InCommunities team undertook extensive civil and electrical works, plumbing, carpentry and painting work. A water storage tank with 300 litres capacity and a water purifier have been installed to provide healthy water supply. The team also provided furniture such as benches, tables, and chairs.

Saji P.K., Director of Data Center Operations, Asia-Pacific Japan and China, AWS, said, “We are grateful to be able to play a role around improving access to education. More than 320 students from Hythabad and its neighbouring 15 villages can now learn and grow in a cleaner, safer and more vibrant environment at the renovated Zilla Parishad High School, with access to appropriate classrooms, recreation and sanitation facilities. We hope the school will go on to attract more students and enable quality education in its district.”