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.

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.

WASH Forum March Series "Bagmati Movement: River festival to cleaning mega campaign"

Bagmati Movement: River festival to cleaning mega campaign

Group Photo on WASH Forum

Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO organized its 28^th series of WASH forum on ‘Bagmati Movement: River festival to cleaning mega campaign’ on 28^th March, 2014 at ENPHO Hall, Thapagaun. The objective of the discussion program was to share Bagmati movement as cleaning campaign and to highlight the role of youth towards environment conservation through such initiatives. Mr. Mausam Khanal, Executive Director of Nepal River Conservation Trust was the key speaker for this interaction program. Total 25 participants from different organizations, colleges and institution actively participated in the program.

Mr. Mausham Khanal on WASH Forum

Winner of Facebook Photo Competition Mr. Naresh Kusi

Winning Photo: “No fish, No dish: The livelihood
base of the Bhote community in the
 lowland Tarai rests almost entirely on fishing.
This little girl from Amaltari, Nawalparasi,
 has to get busy searching for fish with her family
 early in the morning. The rivers harbor
 fish and they depend on them for their living.
 Water is the foundation on which they sustain their life”

Mr. Roshan Chaulagain, Advocacy Coordinator of Paschim Paaila briefly introduced about WASH Forum and highlighted the program objective which was then followed by the welcome speech from Ms. Padmaja Shrestha, Senior Program Manager at ENPHO where she briefed the activities that ENPHO has been conducting including water quality monitoring and analysis of Bagmati River since 2011.

During the program, Mr. Mausam Khanal shared about the mega cleaning campaign which started from the early initiation of river festival in 2001. Mr. Khanal emphasized on the need for the conservation of Bagmati river, as it has high cultural value and also spiritual and emotional significance to Nepali people. The program formulated discussion on major problems for Bagmati being polluted, the initiations taken till date and the achievements gained and the activities to be undertaken in the future.

Mr. Naresh Kusi was announced the winner of the facebook photo competition which was organized during World Water Week 2014 on the theme ‘Water for Life’. Mr. Kusi was awarded with certificate during the program. 

Mr. Buddha Bajracharya, Network Coordinator of Paschim Paaila delivered vote of thanks to the resource person and to the active participants. Finally, the program concluded by appreciating the resource person with Token of love followed by feedback collection and a group photo.

January Series of WASH Forum on Rooftop farming

 January Series of WASH Forum on Rooftop farming

Paschim Paaila conducted 26^th series of WASH Forum on “Rooftop Farming: win-win approach to Urban Environment Management” on 31^st January, 2014 at ENPHO hall.  The main objective of the discussion program was sharing on Roof Top Farming and to understand the role that youth can play towards promotion of this concept. The key speaker for January series of WASH Forum was Ms. Luna Kansakar, Sr. Program Officer at ENPHO, who provided insights on importance of rooftop farming (RTF) and also emphasized on doing it in the right way.

The emphasis on RTF was given by addressing the emerging issues of Kathmandu city such as unmanaged solid waste, water scarcity, food insecurity and climate change. Ms. Kansakar made a very remarkable point that the increasing numbers of buildings are indeed the opportunities to create a greener environment and the key to that is RTF.

The program was followed by discussion with some thoughtful suggestions to promote RTF by formulating collaboration among the relevant stakeholders and providing support from policy level as well as technical support so that this concept could be led in more effective and successful way. The workshop culminated with summarizing thoughts, vote of thanks and a group photo. 

"Food Hygiene Practice in Nepal; an Experience from Formative Research" WASH Forum 25th Series

WASH Forum 25^th series was conducted at ENPHO hall on 30^th August 2013 on topic "Food Hygiene Practice In Nepal; An Experience from Formative Research" with an objective is to share the knowledge and experience of formative research on food hygiene; and analyze critically on issues of food hygiene and its practices in Nepal.                  

Mr. Om Prasad Gautam, Public Health Expert of Nepal, Principal Investigator (PI) and from London school of hygiene and tropical medicine (LSHTM) was the key speaker for Discussion forum with 35 energetic youths from Public health, Environment science and Social science sector. Mr. Gautam shared his knowledge and experience regarding the interventional research recently being implemented at Baluwa and Naya Gaun VDC of Kavre District among the mothers having children's between 6 month and under 5 years. Mr. Gautam highlighted the importance of Food hygiene in all levels, especially for children's.  He motivated the youths to spread awareness of Food hygiene as it is one of the most important health issues in the present scenario in our country.

Mr. Gautam said that "changing behavior is very hard .It depends on the nature of setting. The old methods of raising awareness are not suitable, the approach and Setting should be known before implementation." Formative research on food hygiene matters as diarrhea is still 2^nd largest killing disease which is directly linked with food hygiene. He told the new idea for awareness.

In his slides he included the factors contributing for foodborne infection the previous and present changes in food hygiene handling practices of mothers after the interventional research and implementation of behavior changing approaches. The whole session was very much interactive and informative; the youth got to learn many new approaches and information. There was also shown short video regarding the critical times where mothers neglected the proper Hygiene Practices. He also introduced how the behavior of people can be changed in effective way.

Mainly question rose about the formative research regarding sustainabily, effect of education on food hygiene. He replied that it would be implemented in 4 district of Nepal. If it becomes effective then it would be implemented in other places. VDC, FCHVs will contribute in it. He told that Behavior of people affect in food hygiene. Which should be changed and they should be motivated to be ideal mother. 

The programme was then concluded by one of the supportive Paaila Ms. Susmita Paudel former Advocacy Coordinator. Overall program was facilitated by Mr. Roshan Chaulagain and the program was ended with group photo and interaction with participants.

 

“Uhileko Kura, Bhairav Daisanga” became wonderful experience for youths

“Uhileko Kura, Bhairav Daisanga” became wonderful experience for youths

By: Phurba Sange Moktan

“Every new name of toilet represents a new generation in Nepal”-Bhairav Risal

Since decades, tremendous efforts has been done from various NGOs, INGOs, GOs and Private sectors to improve water, sanitation and hygiene status of Nepal. Technology has become a remarkable factor for effective and sustainable practices of water and sanitation. With considering such factor a WASH FORUM (interaction program) was conducted with Mr. Bhairav Risal, senior environmental journalist and sanitation leader of age 82 to share his immensely valuable life experiences among about 40 youths.

During his age, very few people used latrine for defecation purpose even in the capital city, also had myth that it should be stink to be a toilet. So, people usually didn’t wash it. He also revealed the bitter situation of Supreme Court that had no ladies toilet before few years back, unless a lady judge was appointed. Likewise, the short story told by him also became learning for participants.

After sharing experience of being engaged on various social movements and contributing remarkable efforts like lighting program on Humla, distribution of nail cutters, toilets construction campaign, etc., he made his point that unless the physical conservative mindset of people changed, there won’t be any drastic transformation on any sectors including WASH. For that everyone need to do whatever and whenever he can. He said, “Every new name of toilet represents a new generation in Nepal and technologies definitely helped a lot to improve the WASH access and coverage, so, it should also be affordable and accessible by communities.” Finally, he concluded his points with focusing school children as most effective sanitation messengers for promoting and replicating sanitation facilities and technologies.

Following his sharing, WASH-RCNN released some video footages related to the topic that was taken by the volunteers from SUN Nepal on different localities of Kathmandu Valley, also helped to understand and interpret the technological transformation on WASH.

Overall, the program was made very informative and motivational, even the sharing was squeezed on short duration. Finally, the WASH FORUM was concluded around 4:30 pm.