School WASH Campaign to improve WASH practice

Edited by: Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator, Paschim Paaila
- Ms. Janaki Shrestha, Member, Paschim Paaila Batch III

School WASH (SWASH) campaign have been an effective means to aware and sensitize school children on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. WASH being very crucial part of life still have been in negligence. On 23^rd February, Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO in leadership of Paschim Paaila Batch III members organized SWASH campaign at Oxford Practical English School at Sallaghari, Bhaktapur in order to aware and sensitize the school students on WASH with special focus on handwashing practice to prevent diseases.

The program highlighted on safe drinking water and water purification options, solid waste management and toilet cleaning, proper handwashing and menstrual hygiene management. The program was made interactive, participatory and demonstrative. Participants were engaged in group activities and story sharing during the program to make information sharing more effective. Also, handwashing steps crucial during critical stages were demonstrated among participants. Quiz based on the topics delivered during program also made program interactive and informative.

Altogether 25 students of class 7-8 were engaged in the program in recommendation of school management committee. The campaign was facilitated by Ms. Janaki Shrestha, Ms. Punam Chauguthi and Mr. Sagar Gosai, members of Paschim Paaila Batch III. 

Ms. Anusha Dhaubanjar, one of the participant said   “session were very useful and informative we will share the information with others who did not get chance to participate in the program and also we are very much interested for training on homemade sanitary pad making.”

10th Anniversary of Paschim Paaila

With continuous service in environmental health and most importantly in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) since July 17, 2009 Paschim Paaila completed 10^th Anniversary on July 17, 2019. The journey of 10 years of Paschim Paaila (PP) from an informal youth network to a youth-led network completed by organizing and participating in more than 50 campaigns, more than 100 advocacy events, more than 100 research and surveys, more than 50 training and workshops, and networking among national and international youth groups, clubs and organizations. Paschim Paaila has also been active through social media to advocate on WASH for making Nepal ‘Epidemic Free Nepal’.


Marking the completion of the 10 years’ journey, Paschim Paaila celebrated 10^th Anniversary organizing a regular event of candle lighting to pray for departed soul in epidemic and disasters at Dhulikhel, Kavre in July 17, 2019. The event was organized in presence of active paailas, first batch of PP, executive member of PP and Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) team. The co-event was organized at Shree Dedhethumka Higher Secondary School, Kuntabesi, Kavre in support of HKRC and in collaboration with ENPHO to support school children for improving WASH status of school children through wall painting, bio-sand filter installation and training on making of homemade sanitary pad.
More than 40 people participated, directly and indirectly, including Paschim Paaila team, HKRC team and school students in 10^th Anniversary Celebration of Paschim Paaila.

-Ms. Anita Bhuju

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.

Accomplishment of JWF Fund Project at Baluwa Secondary School, Kavre

Accomplishment of JWF Fund Project

Child Friendly Handwashing Platform

Paschim Paaila with the support of Japan Water Forum (JWF) Fund- 2013 and in collaboration with ENPHO accomplished the construction of Bio-Sand Filter, Child friendly hand washing platform and providing the training on menstrual hygiene management and making homemade sanitary pad at Shree Baluwa Secondary School, Baluwapati- 4 VDC, Kavre.

Shree Baluwa Secondary School, Kavre

The major objective of the project was to improve the health condition of school students and to decrease absenteeism of girl students.

1000 Liters Bio-Sand Filter

A Bio-sand filter (BSF) of capacity 750 liters with 1000 liters of reserve tank and collection tank were installed to provide access to safe drinking water to the students.  Training on proper maintenance of BSF was provided to the members of school management committee, school administration and students of the school on 13^th March, 2014. Likewise, School WASH campaign was conducted among 125 students and a WASH Circle of 7 members were formed. 

VDC Secretary giving Speech along with Network Coordinator

The handover program was organized on 30^th March, 2014. Mr. Mukunda Prasad Gajurel, Secretary of Baluwapati VDC, Kavre was as the chief guest. He highlighted on the importance of proper maintenance of the filter installed and requested all for the continuity of the support for its regular maintenance. 

Glimpse on S-WASH Campaign

Mr. Buddha Bajracharya, Network Coordinator of Paschim Paaila/ENPHO emphasized on further responsibility of School management committee and students on sustainable operation of filter installed and hand washing platform constructed. Mr. Krishna Bahadur Tamang, Chairperson of Baluwa School management committee further committed on trying their level best for the sustainable operation of the filter and the handwashing platform. 

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."