Orientation on Basic WASH Intervention and Water Quality

Prepared by: Mr. Sagar Gosai, Member, PP Batch III

On 3^rd June, 2020, Paschim Paaila and ENPHO in collaboration with Leo Club of Kathmandu Tudaldevi organized an orientation program on ‘Basic WASH Intervention and Water Quality’ through Zoom platform. The program was organized with an objective to share youths about basic information regarding Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), water quality and COVID-19.

The orientation highlighted on basic information of WASH including water quality, water-borne diseases, household methods of water purification, status of water, sanitation and hygiene in context of the world and Nepal, diseases transmission route, food hygiene, menstrual hygiene, critical times of handwashing, importance of handwashing for COVID-19 prevention. The online session was interactive and participatory with question and answer session.

Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator of Paschim Paaila, Ms. Sushma Sharma and Mr. Amrit Bista, Member of PP Batch III facilitated the sessions of the orientation. Leo Sandeep Baniya, Persident of the club gave an introductory note and Leo Sangita Ghimire, Program Coordinator for the event facilitated the overall program. Leo Dinesh Giri, Charter President, gave vote of thanks to session facilitators and all participants with a word for future collaboration with Paschim Paaila.

Altogether 40 youths from Leo Club of Kathmandu Tudaldevi and Paschim Paaila attended the orientation.

Organized WASH-CO Workshop I Series 2020

Edited by: Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator
Prepared by: Ms. Susma Sharma, Member, PP Batch III

Paschim Paaila and Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO), jointly organized three days “WASH-CO Workshop I Series 2020” from 16^th to 18^th May, 2020 through Zoom platform. This is the very first workshop organized with an objective to enhance the capacity and knowledge on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and its linkage to COVID-19 to empower youths on WASH and COVID-19 to support in preventive measures and bring youths as change maker.

The three day workshop covered sessions related to WASH, COVID-19, hygiene behavior and practice, impact of COVID-19 on SDGs and social media use through presentations from WASH professionals and media professional. The three day workshop moreover remained participatory with interactions and discussions with and among participants. Altogether 40 participants were selected through an application to attend the workshop from various educational background including public health, environmental science, social work, engineering and bio-technology. 

“Participating in the workshop allowed me to gain unknown facts in regard to WASH and COVID-19 and beyond the general information. Thank you Paschim Paaila for providing the opportunity” Ritendra Babu.

Visited Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant at Lubhu on WASH FORUM Reloaded

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

Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO has been organizing WASH Forum Reloaded (WFR), an interaction, knowledge sharing and idea generating program, every month. On 28^th February, 4^th Series of WASH Forum Reloaded on “Faecal Sludge Treatment for Ecological Sanitation and Resource Recovery” was organized with a visit at Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) at Lubhu, Lalitpur. This series of FOURM was organized with an objective to share knowledge and sensitize youths on recovery of waste as resources and to provide learning platform for youths on FSM as entrepreneurship opportunity.

Mr. Surya Prasad Ghimire, Incharge and care taker of FSTP, Lubhu facilitated to share about the information on establishment, partner organization, working mechanism, advantage and existing challenges and functionality of the system during with the visit at site. This treatment plant shows the circle “Table to Toilet, Toilet to Table”.

The treatment plant was constructed by ENPHO in support of BORDA in collaboration with Saligrahm Balgriha and Mahalaxmi Municipality. The treatment plant have capacity to treat 2 tank/week of sludge. Treated sludge gives three products as resources i.e. biogas, treated wastewater and manure. Saligrahm Balgriha have been using treated wastewater and manure in the farmland to produce vegetables which is provided to children at Balgriha. As mentioned by Mr. Ghimire, the vegetables and manure is produced in good amount and thus they have also been able to sell it. Moreover, biogas has been produced enough to cook food to family of Mr. Ghimire living in the site. However, plastics and inorganic materials present in sludge brought to treatment plant sometimes causes problem in the treatment plant.

Ms. Ranju Yadav, participants of WFR said “I found the FORUM very interesting with interaction and demonstration and I am willing to attend upcoming series of WFR”. Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator of Paschim Paaila closed the program with vote of thanks to facilitator and participants. Altogether 16 youths from various educational background such as environmental science, public health and social work from different institution attended the program.

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.”

WASH Orientation at Saligram Balgriha, Lubhu

Edited by: Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator, Paschim Paaila
-Ms. Puja Bisunke, Member, Paschim Paaila Batch II

Paschim Paaila organized an orientation on WASH on 25 January, 2020 at Saligram Balgriha located at Lubhu, Lalitpur. The orientation program was organized to aware and sensitize children of Saligram Balgriha on basic importance of WASH. The program highlighted on water purification methods for clean and safe water and proper sanitation and hygiene for healthy life.

In the program, children were oriented with easy and understanding methods through demonstration of poster with pictures and playing video. During one day orientation program, members of Paschim Paaila batch II, Ms. Puja Bisunke and Mr. Meghajan Budha delivered messages on water purification methods at household level, solid waste management, waste segregation, critical stages of handwashing and steps of handwashing to participating children.

 

The sessions were made interesting and interactive with informative games and songs. A demo dance of handwashing steps was done to make the steps memorable to children. Altogether 27 children staying at Saligram Balgriha participated in the orientation program.

Introduction and Orientation: PP Batch III

Edited by: Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator, Paschim Paaila
- Mr. Sagar Gosai, Member, Paschim Paaila Batch III

Paschim Paaila (PP) Batch is the new initiative of Paschim Paaila for providing certified volunteering opportunity to 5 motivated youths 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. Every six months, new batch members is formed with five members.

On 14 January, 2020 an introduction program and 21 January, 2020, an orientation program was organized at ENPHO hall, Baneshwor, Kathmandu for members of Paschim Paaila Batch III. The event was organized for introduction of Paschim Paaila and team to batch members and introducing batch members to other team members along with brief description sharing of responsibility as batch members and to orient on WASH. The five batch members who have been selected through the procedure of application and interview were excited being a part of Paschim Paaila team.

Organized 10 Series of College Campaign on “Youth, WASH and SDG”

- Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator

On December, 2019 Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO, completed 10 series of College Campaign on Youth, WASH and SDG which was initiated on February, 2019 to enhance their capacity and knowledge on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). The program was organized on December 18 and 20, 2019, the campaign was organized at National Academy for Medical Studies (NAMS) at Old Baneswor to students of first and third semester.

The ‘College Campaign’ program with aims to encourage youths to involve in various WASH related social issues, to motivate them to act as Youth WASH ambassador and to sensitize them on importance of WASH to create environmentally healthy community and support nationwide WASH activities to achieve SDG goal 6. This program highlighted basics and facts on WASH and its national and worldwide status including areas of WASH that has to be addressed and requires special roles of youth to achieve the goal.

Altogether, 54 students of Bachelor in Public Health actively participated in the program. The program was held in two days with 25 students of first semester on 18 December, 2019 in facilitation of Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator of Paschim Paaila and Ms. Lasata Manadhar, Resource Center Associate and with 29 students of 3^rd semester on 20 December, 2019 in facilitation of Ms. Anita Bhuju and Ms. Ritu Sharma, Senior Resource Center Associate.

"Being student of public health, I have interest on Research and Campaigns. I gained knowledge on WASH, SDG and Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) and gave me an idea on campaign. Also, I am motivated to volunteer/work in the sector of WASH, SDG and specially FSM" - Ms. Pushpa Giri, NAMS College, BPH 1st Semester.

10th Annual Sharing Program of Paschim Paaila

Edited by: Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator, Paschim Paaila
-Ms. Puja Bisunke, Member, PP batch II

Paschim Paaila organized 10^th Annual Sharing Program on 19 October, 2019 at Bhaktapur Hospital, Dudhpati, Bhaktapur. The program was organized to celebrate the success of completion of 10 years of its service in the sector of WASH, emergency and environmental health and to share progress of Paschim Paaila of FY 2018/19 in presence of guests and paaila members.

The program commenced in chairmanship of Mr. Roshan Chaulagain, Treasurer. Mr. Bhushan Tuladhar, Chairperson of ENPHO and Environmentalist was Chief Guest, Mr. Rajendra Shrestha, Program Director of ENPHO was Special Guest and Mr. Manjeet Dhakal, Climate Analyst and, Mr. Phurba Sanhe Moktan, Immediate Past President of Paschim Paaila were Guests in the program. Chief Guest, Special Guest and Chairperson of the program, poured vermi-compost in flower pot to inaugurated the program. Vermi-compost used in the program was obtained from the vermi-composting practitioner of Vermi venture project. Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator/Member Secretary of Paschim Paaila, shared the progress on activities and financial updates of FY 2018/19 of Paschim Paaila. Along with the progress sharing, Paschim Paaila team also presented milestones of 10 years’. In the program, Chief Guest, Special Guest, Guest and initiator paaila gave valuable remarks and wishes to Paschim Paaila.

Chief Guest, Special Guest, Guests and Chairperson of the program inaugurated “Journey of 10 YEARS’ of Paschim Paaila”, a document with compilation of 10 years’ activities, achievements and milestone of Paschim Paaila.

During the program, PP batch members were introduced among guests and participants of the program. PP batch is also one of the new initiative of Paschim Paaila to provide volunteering platform with certification to enthusiastic youths with 5 members in each batch.

Every year Paschim Paaila has been acknowledging the effort of volunteerism and dedication with the title “Paaila of the Year” award. Ms. Deepkala Rai, batch member of first PP batch of Paschim Paaila, was awarded as “Paaila of the Year 2018/19 Award”.

Paschim Paaila has also been providing fund as “Paaila Idea Fund” to encourage youths of Nepal for the creative ideas into action in WASH, SDG and Emergency intervention initiatives. This year the support fund amount for Paaila Idea Fund is Rs. 10,000 with contribution of Rs. 5000 from Guest of the program, Mr. Manjeet Dhakal as appreciation to the continuation of the concept.

‘Paaila means footsteps and in these 10 years Paschim Paaila have left good footsteps. This is the time when we have the highest population of youths (active population/ highest energy)- The Golden generation and Only youths can bring change. So, we should use the new means of technology to reach new youths addressing new issues’- Mr. Bhushan Tuladhar.

Suggestions of All the Guests:

With the changing time, our environment is changing and the issues to be focused are also changing. So, should focus on the changing environment and plan accordingly addressing the new issues.

Learning Sharing on Grant Proposal Writing

-Ms. Deepkala Rai, Member, PP batch I

On 18 Sept. 2019, Paschim Paaila organized a learning sharing program on “Grant Proposal Writing” at ENPHO hall, Thapagaun, New Baneswor. The main objective of the learning and sharing program is to provide the platform for interactions and knowledge sharing on specific topic within Paschim Paaila core members (working circle members, executive members, program management team and Paschim Paaila batch members) based on the training/ workshops attended by any of the members.

Ms. Subekshya Bastakoti and Ms. Monika Dhakal, members of Paschim Paaila Batch I, shared their learnings on Grant Proposal Writing obtained from the training organized by Women in Digital on 19th and 20th July 2019. The overall program was facilitated by Ms. Deepkala Rai, also the member of Paschim Paaila Batch I. During the sharing, process of proposal writing and essential elements for proposal for grants was shared which included possible risks in projects and mitigation measures were highlighted as important elements of proposal. The program ended with interactive queries and answers.

Paschim Paaila has been organizing learning and sharing program since 2009. In this program the members who have participated in any training or any workshops share the knowledge with PP members. The sharing is based on what have been learned and experience of attending the training/workshop.

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.

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.

Youth Interaction: Hong Kong Red Cross and Paschim Paaila Youth Volunteers

-Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator, Paschim Paaila

Paschim Paaila (PP) in collaboration with ENPHO and in support of Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) organized two day youth interaction program organizing WASH program at Shree Dedhethumka Higher Secondary School, Interaction program at ENPHO hall and team building activities among volunteers of HKRC and Paschim Paaila on 17 and 18 July, 2019. In two day program, a WASH program was organized at Shree Dedhethumka Higher Secondary School, Kuntabesi, Kavre. On first day of program, HKRC volunteers, PP volunteers and school students were engaged in wall painting delivering messages on water purification methods at household level and handwashing steps and bio-sand filter installation. Also, Paschim Paaila team facilitated school students and HKRC team for training on making of homemade sanitary pad. On first half of July 18, 2019, HKRC team facilitated to aware school children on WASH including WASH behavior of students and difference of the daily process of HKRC team and school children, water filtration process and process of handwashing through innovative games. More than 500 students and teachers will be benefitted with installation of bio-sand filter and wall painting whereas 20 students are directly benefitted participating on awareness program and making of homemade sanitary pad.
Similarly, an interaction program was held among the youth volunteers of Paschim Paaila team and HKRC team at ENPHO Hall on second half of July 18, 2019. In the half day program, a volunteer from Paschim Paaila and a volunteer from HKRC was paired for introduction session which was followed by presentation on brief introduction of ENPHO by Ms. Sabuna Gamal, Assistant WASH Training Officer at Training Centre of ENPHO and of Paschim Paaila by Ms. Anita Bhuju,  Network Coordinator of Paschim Paaila. Similarly, Ms. Jasmine from Hong Kong Red Cross presented about Hong Kong Red Cross and International Humanitarian Service Leadership Program (ISLP) of HKRC. Ms. Stephanie and Ms. Grace, Youth Volunteers of HKRC shared experience of Nepal Service visit and Ms. Cherry Chau, Staff Officer of HKRC, expressed gratitude to ENPHO and Paschim Paaila team and said to look forward for future collaboration with ENPHO and Paschim Paaila team. Mr. Buddha Bajracharya, President of Paschim Paaila provided token of love to Ms. Cherry Chau on behalf of PP and HKRC team gifted souvenir to PP team. The program ended sharing messages among participants as interaction activity. Altogether, 15 PP team and 13 HKRC team participated in the program. Under the International Humanitarian Service Leadership Program of Hong Kong Red Cross, 12 HKRC youth volunteers visited Nepal as “Nepani” (Nepal + Pani) program.