TOILET WALK : Walk for Dignified and Equitable Public Toilets

TOILET WALK : Walk for Dignified and Equitable Public Toilets

ENPHO and Paschim Paaila organized “TOILET WALK: Walk for Dignified and Equitable Public Toilets” program to mark the World Toilet Day 2014 in partnership with various organizations and youth networks on 19^th November, 2014.The rally started from Bhrikutimandap and ended at Basantapur, Kathmandu along with raising awareness on the issues of public toilets especially of Kathmandu valley. The participants of the rally displayed slogans regarding proper sanitation and the need of the public friendly toilets.

“The issues of the public toilets are often ignored and not given the importance. As a result, they are also not properly maintained,” said Mr. Ganesh Shah, Former Minister of Environment and guest of the program. Mr. Shah symbolically handed over the toilet cleaning materials to Dr. Sumitra Amatya, Executive Director of Solid Waste Management Technical Support Centre for further continuity of proper maintenance and cleaning of the public toilets. Likewise, Ms. Amrita Gyawali from Water Aid Nepal shared her problems which she often faced due to lack of disable friendly toilets. “I have to think several times before going to any place. I am always worried whether there would be disable friendly toilet or not. It is further very difficult for us during menstruation period,” said Ms. Gyawali.

Mr. RajendraShrestha, Program Manager of ENPHO provided the closing remarks and urged everyone to be take serious consideration on the issues of public toilets.

Around 300 participants joined the rally. The program was facilitated by Mr. Buddha Bajracharya, Network Coordinator, Paschim Paaila.



 The program further continued with the photo exhibition showcasing the situations of 45 public toilets of Kathmandu valley. The exhibition took place at Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Ghantaghar. Cleaning of two toilets of the college was also carried out. 

“Emergency Response & WASH interventions @ Flood/landslides affected areas of Central/Mid-Western Nepal”

WASH FORUM September series “Emergency Response & WASH interventions @ Flood/landslides affected areas of Central/Mid-Western Nepal”

Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO organized its 31^th series of WASH forum on “Emergency Response & WASH interventions to Flood/landslides affected areas of Central/Mid-Western Nepal” on 26^th September 2014 at ENPHO Hall, Thapagaun. The objective of the discussion program was to share emergency response & WASH interventions to flood/landslide affected area of central / mid-western Nepal and to understand the role, youth can play towards emergency response. Mr. Rajesh Dhungel, Regional Emergency Food Security & Livelihood Capacity Builder, OXAM (Asia) was the key speaker for this interaction program. Total 27 participants from different colleges, organizations and institution actively participated in the WASH Forum.

Ms. Sabuna Gamal, Facilitator from Paschim paaila briefly introduced about WASH Forum and highlighted the objectives of the program which was followed by welcome speech by Mr. Bipin Dangol, Program manager at ENPHO where he welcomed the participants inter- relating the topic to be discussed and story behind the establishment of paschim paaila. He mentioned discussion on that topic was very relevant. 

Mr. Rajesh Dhungel shared his experiences on emergency response and WASH interventions to Nepal and other Asian country highlighting on the current WASH response on the flood/landslide affected areas of three districts (Bardia, Banke, Surkhet) of Nepal. He shared about the poor situation of WASH response in those areas as WASH is neglected during emergency responses which may create another disaster in those areas. During program he shared about three important part of the WASH response (Public health promotion, advocacy and structural aspects) and he motivated youth to be involved on the public health promotion and advocacy.

There was shared experience about the situation of the affected areas of Dang and activities which he conducted collaborating with local youth and Red Cross with the handover of Piyush.

Mr. Buddha Bajracharya, Network Coordinator of Paschim Paaila delivered thanks to the resource person and to the participants with motivating youth to be the part of upcoming college knowledge sharing campaign and Deusi-Vailo program of paschim Paaila  and finally concluded the program by appreciating the resource person with token of love.

WASH-MANDU HIKING & CHANGA CHET MELA SERIES II

WASH-MANDU HIKING & CHANGA CHET MELA SERIES II

On the occasion of Dashain 2071, Paschim Paaila organized WASH-MANDU HIKING and CHANGA CHET MELA on 20^th September, 2014 at Seto Ghar (White House), Way to Champadevi. The objectives of the program was sharing WASH knowledge among participants and disseminating information regarding WASH and disaster to community through kites. There was 30 youths which were divided into four groups: Water optimizer, Sanitation Trigger, Hygiene Promoter and Rapid Responder, hiking route started from Chalnakhel. After one hour long walk everyone reached to the destiny viewing beautiful natural scenario of Kathmandu valley passing through the pathway.

With interesting and innovative game facilitated by Mr. Roshan Chaulagain and Ms. Urmila Lama, introduction of participants were done. Active participation of participants made the game really interesting. After introduction round following short lunch break, all participants were all set to fly the kite with message related to WASH and disaster. Each group were given task to compose the message to be written in the kites as per their group name. Unfortunately rain disturbed the program but the participants were not in the mood to be disturbed by rain so there was started the musical program which cherished the environment. There was also flied flying lantern from the top. Despite some changes in schedule, event was ended with scheduled time and participants returned with wonderful knowledge of WASH and Disaster and very good and unforgettable memories.

Street Drama for Total Sanitation Campaign

Street Drama for Total Sanitation Campaign

Street Drama raising awareness and sensitizing people about five components of healthy living (safe drinking water, proper use and maintenance of toilet, personal hygiene including proper hand washing practices, indoor air pollution and solid waste management) was successfully conducted at the streets of Nagarkot VDC by the volunteers of Paschim Paaila under SWASH project Nagarkot. 

The street drama was organized for the success of Total Sanitation Campaign running at Nagarkot VDC starting from 28^th August to 5^th September, 2014. After some days of practice, volunteers performed their first drama in Jalpa Devi Temple in Telkot on the day of Teej, the festival of Hindu women. “I liked the drama and the message in the drama was very useful” said by one of the viewers after the drama. The feedback collected after the drama was positive and they appreciated the effort of the performers. 

The first day drama helped the volunteers to know the real scenario of the Nagarkot and were all prepared for their next performance. Accordingly the 12 shows gone fantastic with the support of local people of Nagarkot VDC and also with assistance of Mr. Rajesh Byanjankar, Project Assistant, ENPHO. 

The drama group performed dramas in different places of Nagarkot VDC including community, school, bus stop and market areas. The feedbacks collected after the drama encouraged the volunteers and the objective to make the viewer aware about complete sanitation was found to be fulfilled.

The volunteers also performed some dramas reaching to inner villages along with the Sarangi players. They added up extra flavor in enhancing the supporting environment for performing drama. The music along the drama caught the attention of the people around the village. Everybody enjoyed the drama along with the message through music.

Hong Kong Red Cross Paschim Paaila Youth Exchange Program

Hong Kong Red Cross Paschim Paaila Youth Exchange Program

Two days “Hong Kong Red Cross Paschim Paaila ENPHO Youth Exchange” program was

conducted on 26^th and 27^th July, 2014 in Kathmandu. The main agendas of this exchange program were to share the knowledge, information, different activities and technologies regarding the WASH as well as to build up strong network and collaboration potentials in the future. The youth exchange program had been good platform for both Paschim Paaila as well as Hong Kong Red Cross youth team to explore about both countries WASH practices, culture and youth initiatives.

Mr. Bipin Dangol, Program Manager, ENPHO introduced about ENPHO and shared the activities/WASH technologies that ENPHO has been promoting since last 2 decades. Mr. Dangol shared the WASH issues of Nepal. The team were taken to field observation visit to provide detail information about the WASH technologies (ECOSAN toilet, Rain water harvesting & bio-sand filter) promoting by ENPHO at Gundu VDC, Bhaktapur and two different communities; Chysal, Lalitpur and Pathivara slum community where there were also organized interaction with local youth volunteers of Paschim Paaila. 

On the second day, Mr. Buddha Bajracharya, Network Coordinator, Paschim Paaila gave the brief

introduction about Paschim Paaila and shared the different activities done by Paschim Paaila. Similarly, Hong Kong Red Cross team presented the activities they have been conducting. Mr. Raman Nepali, Youth Activist of Nepal was invited as guest speaker who shared the roles of youth through different motivational and inspiration words and helped in the process of strong bonding between volunteers from both team. Mr. Nepali helped in the process of collaborative initiatives that Paschim Paaila and Hong Kong Red Cross can start in future. Both the teams were very much impressed with each other initiatives and drafted a conclusion to work further in various activities in the future.

5th Anniversary Celebration of Paschim Paaila

5^th Anniversary Celebration of Paschim Paaila

On the occasion of Paschim Paaila’s 5^th anniversary, there was successfully organized “Tree Plantation” program in the early morning of 17^th July, 2014 at “Rastriya Shahid Smaarak Park” Gokarna-1, Kathmandu. Ministry of Forest supported for this event by providing different varieties of plants from botanical garden, Chanlakhel, Kathmandu. “Rastriya Shahid Smaarak Park” Management Committee and Ilaka Forest Office also supported by providing spot for plantatio. Program was started with brief introduction of Paschim Paaila by Network Coordinator Mr. Buddha Bajracharya. Meanwhile, Mr. Sudersan Sigdel, President of “Rastriya shahid Smaarak Park” gave its brief information and its management process and also added the process of plantation. Core team members of Paschim Paaila attended the program.

On the same evening, candle lightening program was also organized to celebrate the anniversary at the premises of historical Patan Durbar Square, Lalitpur. Around 100 participants gathered along with the guest from different organizations. Mr. Bhusan Tuladhar, Regional Technical Advisor South Asia, UN-HABITAT, Ms. Lajana Manandhar, Executive Director, Lumanti, Ms. Pema Lakhi, Deputy Director General, NFCC and representatives from Water Aid, ENPHO and representative from other partner organizations were the guests. The event was started with a minute of silence for those who lost their life in various disasters in different timeframe. During the short congratulation remark by Mr. Bhushan Tuladhar he mentioned “Now epidemic and disasters are spreading not only in rural areas but also in urban areas of Nepal. So, Paschim Paaila a youth Network needs to be prepared for these consequences and expand in near future.” Then congratulation speech was given to Paschim Paaila for its 5^th year completion by the respective guests as well. Youth and guest then started “Candle Lightening” surrounding the mandala made in the floor followed by releasing of flying Lanterns. There was miraculous moment created in the premises of Patan durbar square. The event was then concluded wishing the progress and further success of Paschim Paaila.

Youth initiative on GOAL for WASH Promotion - DRR

Youth Initiative on GOAL for WASH Promotion - DRR

On the occasion of World Environment Day and World Cup-2014, there was successfully conducted innovative campaign “GOAL for WASH-DRR (Water Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion and Disaster Risk Reduction) ” on 25^th and 26^th June, 2014 organized by Paschim Paaila and UDRM project. The main theme of this event was “Voice of all, Disaster Risk Reduction & WASH Promotion is Our GOAL”. The event was organized at seven different venues (Lalitpur sub-Metropolitan City-5, LSMC-19, LSMC-17, Imadol-6, LSMC-14, LSMC-15 and Dhapakhel-1) at lalitpur district.

The overall objectives of the program were to celebrate World Environment Day along with World Cup 2014 and raise awareness to community people as well as to disseminate knowledge and information to community people on importance of DRR, Emergency preparedness and Emergency WASH. Altogether 310 people (including child, youth, old age) actively participated during the program.

A goal post made of bamboo was decorated that reflected the message of water, sanitation hygiene and disaster. Inside the post, an easy pan was placed in which the participants had to target the pan by shooting the ball. 

Those who made the right target, were provided gifts such as PIYUSH, flexs with messaged on DRR and WASH, Posters etc. “This is a very unique and innovative idea to raise awareness and dissimenate information of WASH and disaster to the community people. I liked this approach very much” said one of the participants. The volunteers from Paschim Paaila along with members from DMC of different wards gave their effort to make this event effective and successful.  

Drama Charity for MHM Campaign

Drama Charity for MHM Campaign

Huge mass of energetic people gathered at Mandala Theater on 7^th June, 2014 to contribute for Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Campaign & enjoy drama charity entitled “Encounter in Umbugland”.

The main objective of this charity show was to raise fund for “Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Campaign” which is initiated by Paschim Paaila at Government Schools of Sindhupalchowk district. Around 180 people joined to support the campaign at Mandala Theater and enjoyed the drama with the collection of Rs. 15000 reducing the show charge.

As many students of government schools are still unaware about menstrual hygiene, providing these facts and making the MHM campaign functional, Paschim Paaila had launched the charity show. The scenario of the drama was about the political condition and even highlighted sanitation status of the country. 

The show began with welcome remark and objective sharing by Mr. Buddha Bajracharya Network Coordinator, Paschim Paaila at the theater hall which was full of audience representing from different organizations and institutions.

At the end of the show, Mr. Bhushan Tuladhar, Regional Technical Advisor, UN-Habitat appreciated Paschim Paaila for initiating the MHM campaign engaging youth and also wished for the successful steps ahead.

Accomplishment of Youth WASH Concern Workshop VIII - Series

Accomplishment of Youth WASH Concern Workshop VIII - Series

Youth WASH Concern Workshop VIII series was successfully organized on 31^st May and 1^st June, 2014 at Thames International College, Old Baneswor, Kathmandu. The objectives of this workshop were to enhance the capacity and knowledge on WASH, to empower youth on WASH initiatives as social issues and to sensitize youth on importance of WASH to create environmentally healthy community. Overall, the training workshop was facilitated by Mr. Buddha Bajracharya, Network Coordinator and Mr. Roshan Chaulagain, Advocacy Coordinator of Paschim Paaila. Altogether 23 participants from different colleges, institutions, organizations actively participated during the training.

During the training, the resource persons and the participants shared their experiences and ideas. In the session of “Water Management”, Mr. Bipin Dangol, Program Manager of ENPHO highlighted the importance and scarcity of water and he suggested everyone to take this issue seriously and focused on need of proper utilization of water at household level for different purposes. Meanwhile in the session of “Water and PoU option”, Mr. Roshan Chaulagain shared the different methods of water purification at household level and at local level for drinking purpose. Sharing on the issue of “Water and Health”, Mr. Buddha discussed about water pollution in urban and peri-urban areas and its consequences in human health. Mr. Phurba Sange Moktan, District Coordiantor of UN-Habitat shared his experience and showed the actual scenario of community of our country in the sector of WASH.

In the second day of training workshop, Ms. Kamala K.C, Consultant at Water Aid Nepal discussed on food hygiene, personal hygiene and menstrual hygiene and Ms. Merina Shakya, Project Officer of ENPHO elaborate on WASH during disaster. Last but not the least, Mr. Raman Nepali, Youth Activist inspired and motivated the participants to work in the field of WASH to make the country epidemic free and showed different relevant documentary. The participants prepared the work plan to implement in their feasible areas which was then followed by the feedback collection and finally concluded by certificate distribution.

Menstrual Hygiene Management: An emerging issue

“Menstrual Hygiene Management: An emerging issue”

Paschim Paaila organized regular interaction program WASH FORUM May series on 30^th May 2014. This time the topic was “Menstrual Hygiene Management: An emerging issue”. Celebrating World Menstrual Hygiene Day- 2014 for the first time in the world on May 28, Paschim Paaila brought down this issue in the forum with the participation of 42 participants.

The forum was very interactive and participants were cooperative with resource person Ms. Kamal Tara Bajracharya, Youth and Adolescent Program Manager, FPAN and another resource person Ms. Kamala KC, Consultant, Water Aid Nepal. During the session participants raised their queries regarding the current scenario of toilets in university’s colleges and also of public toilet which are not female friendly. 

The session was carried out by our resource person on the components of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) and related it with Education, Health, Empowerment and Rights.

In this forum, volunteers were appreciated with certificates by Network Coordinator Mr. Buddha Bajracharya for successful conduction of Menstrual Hygiene Campaign on the occasion of International Menstrual Hygiene Day – 2014. At last, the session was concluded with the sharing of some experience of participants regarding menstrual hygiene which was really fruitful following with group Photos.

MAHILA KA LAGI PAAILA

Dflxnfsf nflu kfO{nf

Paschim Paaila implemented its project under Paaila Idea fund - 2013 as "Dflxnfsf nflu kfO{nf"/ "Paailas for Women" at Thapathali Slum area, where 23 women’s of different age group (17-74 years) participated on 29^th May, 2014. The program started with the general information about Paschim Paaila by Mr. Buddha Bajracharya, Network Coordinator of Paschim Paaila. The program was divided into two parts i.e. WASH and importance of Vermi-composting technique.

Mr. Bajracharya took a session of WASH whereby he gave idea on importance of water to the living creatures as well as present situation of Water in context of Nepal. According to him, “Slum area of Kathmandu is very prone to Water borne disease, once it catches a person it can be easily transmitted from person to person very soon.” Whereby, he gave examples of Jaundice in Biratnagar (2014) and epidemics in Jajarkot (2009). In addition to that, Mr. Bajracharya highlighted different ways of water purification viz. filtration (different approaches), boiling, SODIS, Chlorination (Piyus). Most of the participants took it positively and agreed to follow one of the water purification techniques. Then, he gave some idea about the healthy behaviour mainly focusing on "Hand washing techniques". All the participants vouched to follow ‘Ati-Pati’ technique from the very day.

Next session was taken by Mr. Regan Sapkota, Paaila idea fund 2013 winner took session on Vermi-composting technique. According to Mr. Sapkota Nepali are not Poor but the way of thinking is very poor. He added, vermiform composting can be lucrative source of income to many unemployed Nepalese as the worms produce ample compost and multiply their number very quickly. He highlighted various facts about the importance and effectiveness of vermin composting and urged the participants to practice this composting technique. All the participants were very much inspired so at the end of the session all the participants came to common understanding to start Vermi composting commercially so that this technique can help them financially to uplift their living standards. Most of the participants were motivated and said they will embark the Vermi-composting from their home. All the participants looked positive and were exhilarated and said programs was fruitful for them and they will soon follow the technique taught to them.

First International Menstrual Hygiene Day Celebrated with school students

First International Menstrual Hygiene Day was celebrated on 28^th May 2014 with the joint effort of ENPHO and Paschim Paaila in coordination with District Public Health Offices (DPHOs), Primary Health Care centers (PHCs), Health Posts and Sub-Health Posts of 4 districts (Bhaktapur, Kavre, Surkhet and Rupandehi). The main objective was to celebrate first Menstrual Hygiene day which was happening in all the 75 districts in coordination with Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Education (MoE), INGOs, NGOs and other respective bodies.

More than 30 volunteers were mobilized for the successful conduction of menstrual awareness programs at the government schools in coordination with respective VDCs Health workers. Menstrual Hygiene day was celebrated at 13 schools from 12 VDCs (Ghumkhare, Latikoili, Changunarayan, Katunje, Jhaukhel, Duwakot, Nagarkot, Baluwapati, Baluwa, Sankhu patichaur, Khopasi, Rudrapur VDCs) and 1 Birendranagar Municipality.

Total 812 school students from Government schools were benefited from the program including 589 girls and 223 boys along with many school teachers as well. The students were made aware about the general concepts of Menstruation and Menstrual Hygiene management, benefits of menstrual pads, and ways to cope with the complications. Thus the program was very successful as menstrual hygiene day is being celebrated for the first time internationally and nationally as it has been a crucial issue that needs proper attention.

A Day Training on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM)

One day training on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) was successfully conducted on 24^th May, 2014, organized by Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO and Khwopa College at Khwopa college hall. There were total 24 female youth participants from B.Sc Environmental Science stream. The objectives of the training were planning, MHM orientation, preparation of homemade sanitary pad and its use, etc. in cyclic process as homemade sanitary pads are very much environmental friendly as it could be reused, there is no chemical reagents used and it’s very friendly to handle as well.

The program was coordinated by Paschim Paaila. The facilitators for the whole program were Ms. Kamal Tara Bajracharya (Adolescent and Youth Program Manager, FPAN), Mr. Buddha Bajracharya (Network Coordinator, Paschim Paaila), Ms. Urmila Lama (Campaign Coordinator, Paschim Paaila) and Ms. Renu Duwal (member, Paschim Paaila).  

The main objectives of the training on MHM was to make participants able to know about Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) link with Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM), WASH and MHM, Use and Importance of Homemade Sanitary Pads and Preparation of Homemade Sanitary Pads. The session was conducted with the help of different techniques like PowerPoint presentation, visuals and demonstration as well. All the participants were provided materials and were guided to prepare homemade sanitary pads. The participants showed their active participation throughout the training hour. Discussion was done and feedback was collected at the end of session. 

The program was concluded by Mr. Buddha Bajracharya presenting tokan of love to Mr. Kamal Raj Gosai (Incharge, HoD Environmental Science, Khwopa College). 

WASH Forum: Present situation of DEWATS and FSM in some of Asian and Asia Pacific countries

WASH Forum: Present situation of DEWATS and FSM in some of Asian and Asia Pacific countries

Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO successfully conducted 29^th series of WASH Forum, an interaction program entitled, “Present situation of Decentralized Waste Water Treatment System (DEWATS) and Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) in some of Asian and Asia Pacific countries” on 25^th April, 2014 at ENPHO Hall, Thapagaun, Kathmandu. 

Dr. Saroj Kumar Chapagain, Senior Research Engineer at Environmental Engineering and Management School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand was the key speaker during the program. The main objective of the program was to share and know about DEWATS and FSM in Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. Altogether, 35 youths from different organizations, institutions and different youth networks actively participated in the discussion program.

Mr. Roshan Chaulagain, Advocacy Coordinator of Paschim Paaila introduced about WASH Forum highlighting its objectives which was then followed by the welcome speech by Dr. Suman K. Shakya, Executive Director of ENPHO. Dr. Shakya shared, “This kind of interaction program play vital role for advocacy and for sensitizing youths on the issues. This forum is the platform for the youths.” Meanwhile, Mr. Bipin Dangol, Program Manager of ENPHO introduced the resource person and further highlighted the importance and necessity of DEWATS and FSM for developing countries like Nepal.  

Dr. Chapagain, shared the methodologies and current practices of the management of feacal sludge in Asian countries through decentralized wastewater treatment system. Dr. Chapagain mainly focused on onsite sanitation and its technologies prevalent in Thailand. The program was very interactive and new technologies were introduced to the participants. “At present there is no National policy for sewerage management in Nepal so feacal sludge management is the most challenging task for advocating at National level and for implementing as well.” informed by Mr. Dangol.

Mr. Buddha Bajracharya, Network Coordinator of Paschim Paaila delivered vote of thanks to the resource person and to the participants and finally concluded the program by appreciating the resource person by token of love.