PP Batch Induction and Team Building

-Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator

On 31 August, 2019, Paschim Paaila organized PP batch induction, mentorship and team building event at Baudha, Kathmandu to have introduction and team building among members of PP executive team, senior Paailas and PP batch members. As a part of induction and team building, team members gathered to have general introduction and sharing about activities and functions of Paschim Paaila along with experience sharing from senior paailas. PP batch, as new members, shared their motivation to join PP and interacted among other members as a part of networking and team building.
 

Paschim Paaila (PP) Batch is the new initiative of Paschim Paaila for providing certified volunteering opportunity to 5 motivated youths for the time period of 6 months who are keen to learn skills and are looking forward to establish career in development sector. This platform provides wide range of volunteering opportunities through event planning, reporting, coordination, documentation and mentoring. Till date two batch has been formed through application and interview selection procedure.

Drama for Behavior Change on WASH practice

- Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator, Paschim Paaila

Bringing a change in the behavior is difficult. But a change could be possible partially through different means. Being able to lead a healthy life is influenced by many factors and doesn’t solely depend on increased access to – and use of – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, medicines or treatment. Improved insights in health behavior can provide a tremendous impact in the onset and course of health problems and act as a basis for health promotion. However, making a long-term change in behavior is rarely a simple process. Individual, social and other external factors should be integrated to positively influence healthy behavior.

Street drama being an effective tool in raising awareness and sensitization for general public, under the NERF project of ENPHO, street drama on behavior change was prepared and performed in working areas of NERF project of five districts, namely Dolakha, Sindhupalchwok, Kavre, Nuwakot and Dhading of Nepal on 9 August, 11 August, 13 August, 20 August and 22 August respectively. Drama was planned with an aim to sensitize community people to bring positive change on WASH behavior for healthy life. It was performed focusing on proper use of toilet and use of filter, as easy water purification option, targeting community people and school children. More than 3475 locals observed drama including youths, children and old.

“This drama has hit hard in my head that unclean toilets have high possibility for disease transmission as there is presence of germs that can harm us. We knew this simple things but after observing this drama it made me realize how we have been neglecting small things as keeping toilet clean. Also, I got new knowledge that we need to change filter candle in every 6 months and now we will bring it to practice. I will also convey this message to my family and neighbor as well” Aarti Kunwar, student, Uma Saha Shikshyalaya Secondary School, Kavre expressed with enthusiasm.

Sensitizing through Drama for Safe Drinking Water

In Nepal, Diarrheal death is still a leading cause for children under-5. Despite of having awareness on safe drinking water and options for water purification, the lack of proper implementation of water purification process in practical life has been affecting health of people. Paschim Paaila and ENPHO in collaboration with Eco-Concern engaging youths of Paschim Paaila prepared and performed street drama on safe drinking water use at Dadikot, Bhaktapur on 10 August, 2019. Drama was organized with an objective to sensitize general public on the effects of drinking contaminated water, transmission route and prevention methods. The preference was given for street drama as it is considered to be an effective tool in raising awareness and sensitization general public. Drama was performed at Khukundole and Chitrapur of Dadikot with a target to sensitize community people on proper maintenance of  water purification options more specifically on filter use to prevent from contamination.

More than 130 local community people observed drama from both communities including children and old.