47^th WASH Forum

Paschim Paaila, an informal youth network, organizes a regular interaction program, ‘WASH Forum’, in every last Friday of English month. Paschim Paaila now have been reached to 47^th series of WASH Forum, with the aim to motivate and address the voices of diversified youth communities and others to provide opportunity for social interaction, knowledge sharing and to analyze critically on different forte of health issues, especially focused on to the environmental health issues, WASH and disasters. On 25 November, 2016, Paschim Paaila, conducted a WASH Forum entitled ‘Equity in School WASH: Overcoming Exclusion and Discrimination in Nepal/South Asia’, with the objective to discuss on current status of school WASH and the problem raised due to inequality in the sector of WASH and to discuss on the roles and responsibilities of youth to advocate and minimize the problem regarding equity in school WASH.

Mr. Siddhi Shrestha, WASH Specialist, UNICEF; and Mr. Homnath Acharya, UNICEF resided as the resource person for the forum. Mr. Shrestha, has been working in the sector of water, sanitation and hygiene for 20 years. This has provided the participants an opportunity to gain more practical and experienced knowledge through the resource person. The forum, highlighted the brief session on differences between equity and equality, importance on school WASH, current WASH situation of Nepal, international goals and targets on school WASH and impact of having ‘No WASH’ in schools. Additionally, Mr. Homnath Acharya further familiarized the existed School WASH polices in Nepal.

Collectively, 30 youths from different institutions, and colleges were the attendees during the event. The forum was well received and quiet interactive as many participant actively engaged in the discussion session. Queries regarding the difference between equity and equality, 3 star approach, School WASH policies were raised during the discussion session. Participant gave their positive feedbacks and concluded forum as informative and effective.

Flash Mob and Community Orientation at Communities of Bhaktapur and Lalitpur

Youth Network Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO and OXFAM, organized a Flash Mob and Community Orientation at Nagarkot, Sudal and Tathali of Bhaktapur and Siddhipur, Tikathali, Lubhu and Lamatar of Mahalaxmi Municipality, Lalitpur from 15 July to 15 August 2016.

The major objectives of the program were to make the school students and community people aware of apt Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) practices, Disaster Risk Reduction and disaster preparedness. The orientation covered water purification methods (PoU option), hand-washing techniques and its critical stages, hazards of open defecation (5F diagram), menstrual hygiene management, and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). The flash mob was performed by a team of 10 Pachim Paaila volunteers. The team prepared a dance routine for events at respective places from 15 July to 15 August, 2016.

The flash mob successfully gathered residents and triggered them their engagement during the orientation programs. Collectively, more than 2000

people viewed the flash mob events. The orientation team gathered further positive feedback from the attendees.

45^th WASH Forum: “Current Issues of Waterborne Diseases and Threat of Epidemic in Kathmandu Valley”

Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO, successfully conducted the 45^th series of WASH Forum on “WASH Forum: “Current Issues of Waterborne Diseases and Threat of Epidemic in Kathmandu Valley” on 26 August, 2016 at ENPHO Hall, Thapagaun, New Baneshwor. Ms. Luna Keshari Kansakar, WASH Officer at UNICEF resided as the resource person. The major objectives of the forum were to share on role of WASH during epidemic, to understand the challenges of WASH in Urban setup and to know the role of youth to minimize the epidemic.

Mr. Tej Kiran Joshi, Senior RC Associate at ENPHO welcomed all the participants and briefly introduced the objectives of the WASH Forum. Ms. Luna Keshari Kansakar explained about the major water borne diseases caused by pathogen that could take the form of epidemic and its transmission. She further enlightened about prevention, response and preparedness on epidemic and explain how to address the WASH issues in urban setup.

Various topics like; methods of waste management, Fecal sludge management and waste water management in Kathmandu Valley and various approaches during the cholera prevention campaign were discussed during the discussion session.

Collectively, 46 participants from different colleges and institutions took active participation in the forum.

44^th WASH Forum; “Impact of Emerging Climate Threat on Water Issues in Nepal”

Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO, successfully conducted the 44^th series of WASH Forum on “WASH Forum: “Impact of Emerging Climate Threat on Water Issues in Nepal” on 26 August, 2016 at ENPHO Hall, Thapagaun, New Baneshwor. Mr. Madhukar Upadhya, Watershed Practitioner resided as the resource person. The major objective of the forum was to share on climate change and its science, to understand the impact of climate change on water and water related issues and to know the role of youth to minimize the impact of Climate Change.

Mr. Madhukar Upadhya, briefly explained the Climate change phenomenon linked with rainfall pattern. He further discussed on the impact of climate change on water availability.

After the presentation, the floor was opened for discussion on various topics like seasonal rainfall variation, effect of rainfall distribution on water sources and watershed management issues in Nepal.

Collectively, 38 participants from different colleges and institutions took active participation in the forum.

43rd WASH Forum on “WASH Response on Earthquake: Present Approach and a Way Forward”

43^rd WASH Forum: “WASH Response on Earthquake: Present Approach and a Way Forward”

Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO, successfully conducted the 43^rd series of WASH Forum on “WASH Response on Earthquake: Present Approach and a Way Forward” on 29 July, 2016 at ENPHO Hall, Thapagaun, New Baneshowor. Mr. Sanjaya Chalise, Public Health Engineer at OXFAM resided as the resource person. The major objective of the forum was to share the disaster response on WASH at Earthquake affected district and to point out its issues and challenges.

Mr. Suman Prajapati, Advocacy coordinator of Paschim paaila welcomed all the participants and briefly introduced the objectives of the WASH Forum. 

Mr. Chalise, revealed Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) issues of Earthquake affected district specially focusing on Kathmandu valley. He further discussed on the cluster approach, challenges faced and lesson learned during the response.

After the presentation, the floor was opened for discussion on various topics like community mobilization, importance of local practices and participation, and important of pre and post monitoring.

Collectively, 42 participants from different colleges and institutions actively participated in the interactive forum.

Paschim Paaila Celebrated its 7th Anniversary

On the occasion of the 7th Anniversary of Paschim Paaila, a special program was successfully organized on 17 July 2016 at Café de Patan, Lalitpur. Additionally, a Candle Lighting Program was also organized on the day at the historical Patan Durbar Square premises, Lalitpur.

Mr. Phurba Sange Moktan, President of Paschim Paaila facilitated the event. Mr. Bipin Dangol, Executive Director of ENPHO, Ms. Biju Dangol, WASH Team Leader at OXFAM, and Mr. Rajan Thapa, Program Officer at Clean Energy Nepal (CEN) were the special guests of the event. Paschim Paaila members and volunteers, and ENPHO staff members were in attendance. Mr. Bipin Dangol congratulated Paschim Paaila on the completion of seven consecutive years of service and encouraged innovative youth mobilization in the coming years. He further remarked that Paschim Paaila is an integral youth network within ENPHO that time and again has proved vital for advocacy campaigns. The event concluded with the sharing of well wishes for future endeavors and commitments towards expansion of the network in the coming days by attendees.

Collectively, 70 participants gathered to make the event memorable and successful.

Paschim Paaila is the informal youth network with dedicated youth volunteers which has been actively striving to achieve epidemic free Nepal since 2009. Till date, more than 1500 Paschim Paaila volunteers have been mobilized in various Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) campaigns and emergency responses. ENPHO is providing the secretariat for Paschim Paaila.

WASH Forum June series on “Rethink Before You Drink: Bacteriological Water Quality Assessment of Street Vendors”

Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO, successfully conducted the 42^nd series of WASH Forum on “Rethink Before You Drink! Bacteriological Water Quality Assessment of Street Vendors” on June 24, 2016 at ENPHO Hall, Thapagaun, New Baneshowor. Mr. Subin Kalu, Research Associate at ENPHO resided as the resource person. The major objective of the forum was to share the current scenario of drinking water quality of street vendors.

Mr. Tej Kiran Joshi, Technical Coordinator of Paschim Paaila/Senior RC Associate of ENPHO delivered a welcome note with a brief introduction on Paschim Paaila and highlighted the objectives of the WASH Forum. Mr. Subin Kalu, delivered the status of water quality of street vendors and also addressed hygiene and sanitation issues associated with street vendors. After the presentation, the floor was opened for discussion on various topic like methods of conducting water quality analysis, importance of drinking safe water, and preventive methods of diarrheal diseases.

Collectively, 25 participants from different colleges and institutions actively participated in the interactive forum.

WASH Forum May series: Menstrual Hygiene Management, Men in Menstruation As a continuation of regular activities, Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO, successfully conducted the 41st WASH Forum on “Menstrual Hygiene Management: Men in Menstruation” to coincide with the World Menstrual Hygiene Day. The program was conducted on 27 May 2016 at ENPHO Hall, New Baneshwor. Mr. Ankit Aryal, Advocacy Officer of ENPHO resided as the resource person and delivered a presentation addressing the main objectives of the forum; specifics on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM), issues and challenges on MHM, and the role of men in menstruation. Mr. Tej Kiran Joshi, Technical Coordinator of Paschim Paaila/ Senior Resource Center Associate of ENPHO, delivered a welcome note and highlighted the objective of Paschim Paaila and WASH Forum. Mr. Ankit Aryal shared myths, and taboos associated with menstruation and highlighted restriction placed on females during their menses in Afghanistan, India, and Nepal. Mr. Aryal further linked MHM with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Altogether, 21 participants from various colleges and institutions attended the interactive forum.  During the event, participants shared anecdotes and opinions related to MHM. One of the female participants shared her thoughts on menstruation as a natural biological change seen in females and emphasized on the fact that she was never embarrassed to talk about menstruation with male and female friends, family members, and colleagues.