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.

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.

Deusi Vaailo for School-WASH (SWASH) Campaign-2070

On the auspicious occasion of Tihar festival 2070 Paschim Paaila organized two days Deusi Vaailo Program on 1^st and 4^th, November 2013. The program was organized with a motive to develop good fellowship and strengthen bonding between the Paailas of Paschim Paaila and different supporting organizations and individuals; likewise the next main objective was raising funds for the effective conduction of School-WASH (SWASH) campaign.

 After the successful completion of the Construction of Community level (2000 liters) Bio-sand filter at Pathivara Tole, a Peri-urban squatter community in Kapan VDC of Kathmandu district with the fund raised from "Vaailo for Cause-2069". This year as well Paschim Paaila successfully organized "Deusi Vaailo for School-WASH (SWASH) Campaign-2070". Therefore, to disseminate information regarding WASH among school going students, youth of Paschim Paaila Played Deusi Vaailo at the aagaan of different organization and individuals.

There were more than 25 energetic Paailas involved for the grand success of Deusi Vaailo Program. The program was facilitated by Mr. Buddha Bajracharya Network Coordinator of Paschim Paaila. The contributors for Deusi Vaailo Program were ENPHO, CEN, Mr. Om Prasad Gautam, Mr. Murali Gopal Ranjitkar, Mr. Rabin Bastola with whom Paschim Paaila played Deusi Vaailo with great fun and entertainment.  

Deusi Vaailo was played with informative Deusi Vaailo songs, Drama and various single, free and group dances which created very delightful environment at the aagan of all the organizations and individuals.  While asking about feeling regarding the Deusi Vaailo Program with Event Coordinator for Deusi Vaailo Ms. Urmila Lama, she said," I am very much happy with the success of this program and would like to thank all the Paailas for their service above self, really youth power is greater than all."  

Awareness Drama at Lamagaun, Nuwakot

Awareness Drama at Lamagaun, Nuwakot

By: Phurba Sange Moktan
An awareness drama program was organized at the Local School of Lamagaun village, Nuwakot district on 3rd January 2011,

The program was organized with the financial support of WAPIC Project entitled, “Water Pasteurization through Improved Cook Stove” financially supported by Water Aid Nepal (WAN) and being implemented by Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO). The program was targeted to all the students of the school and their parents who are the residents of the village. The main objectives of the program were to make aware and increase the importance of proper sanitation, hand washing and safe drinking water to the school children and community people, in which drama was chosen as a technique to disseminate messages.

The dissemination of the key messages that form the basis of healthy living through a medium of entertainment was definitely spell bounding to all the mass gathered. The innovative way of awareness generations was definitely an eye opener to the villagers who are living without proper sanitation and hygiene.

“We not just sensitize community people but became able to add a brick, at least towards the healthy communities.” Ms. Neha said who was played as energetic and aware daughter in the drama. Around 10 youth volunteers were engaged on the awareness program at Lamagaun village of Nuwakot.