Celebration of World Water Day – 2014, Advocating WASH as basic Human rights

Celebration of World Water Day – 2014, Advocating WASH as basic Human rights

CA members and WASH Advocates

To mark the World Water Day, 22 various organizations (INGOs, NGOs, Civil Society Networks, Government, Private Sector) which included Water-Aid, ENPHO & Paschim Paaila jointly organized the “Walk for Water” program on 22^nd March 2014 at National Table Tennis Hall, Lainchaur. Almost, 500 participants gathered and walked all the way through Kings Way, Jamal and then concluded the walk in the same hall, with a formal program.

Network Coordinator of PP handover Appeal to CA
members

Paschim Paaila presented a drama to depict WASH as basic Human Rights and should be properly addressed on upcoming constitution which is under draft. The hardships faced in both rural and urban areas due to scarcity of safe drinking water, the potential risks of using unsafe drinking water and the deteriorating conditions of public toilets in the capital were also well presented in the drama.

Volunteers form PP Demonstrating Drama

The chief guest for the program was Hon. Vice Chairperson and Deputy Speaker of the Constituent Assembly Ms. Onsari Gharti Magar. Other distinguished guests included Hon. CA Member Kiran Yadav, Nepali Congress; Hon. CA Member Ananda Prasad Pokharel, UML; Hon. CA Member, Kunta Shahi, Rastriya Prajatantra Party ; Hon. CA Member, Dr. Shivji Yadav, Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum and Former Environment Minister Mr. Ganesh Shah.

Youth WASH Concern Workshop VI series

Youth WASH Concern Workshop VI series

Participants of Youth WASH Concern Workshop VI series

WASH Concern workshop is an interactive attempt of Paschim Paaila to incorporate youth in WASH. Here youth from different colleges were gathered to share their views and to boost up their knowledge in WASH. The VI series of WASH concern Workshop was conducted on 6^th July 2013 at Thames College with total of 24 participants.

Mr. Ash Kumar Khaitu from ENPHO, Mr. Phurba Sange Moktan from UN-HABITAT and Mr. Sarbagya Shrestha from Water Aid Nepal were the key speaker of the Workshop.

Youths during the sessions

The program began with warm welcome from Event Coordinator Mr. Buddha Bajracharya who introduced Paschim Paaila , its vision, objectives, past activities, recent activities, upcoming plan and goal.. Mr. Ash Kumar Khaitu from ENPHO started the session of "Water and hygiene including youth" where he discussed about Open defecation free (ODF), quality maintenance of water, some facts and figures about coverage of water in public and water pollution.

The second session which was of personal hygiene and health was facilitated by Mr. Phurba Sange Moktan from UN-HABITAT who started the session with the comparison of human mind with the glass. Then description on personal hygiene was discussed. The session had lots of group works.

In the session mode of transmission of feaces and what and where can be the barrier to stop the transmission, critical condition of hand washing and hand washing technique were discussed. Different energizer games were played to entertain the participants.

Engagement in Games and Group work

The third session was of sanitation and waste management including role of youth which was facilitated by Mr. Sarbagya Shrestha from Water Aid Nepal. The session was started with the experience sharing from participants on open defecation. Mr. Shrestha then defined sanitation and its types; Improved sanitation, on site sanitation, Food sanitation, Environmental sanitation and Ecological sanitation.

Some facts about sanitation of our country were revealed during the session i.e. 62% of rural school has at least one toilet. 29% of total waste generated is generated by Kathmandu valley only. And only 45 % of total waste generated is collected. He also shared some triggering method in order to make people aware about need and importance of sanitation. Some live examples of proper utilization of waste were also discussed during the session.

Active Involvements of youths

He concluded youth as key for social change, most energetic and proactive age of life, critical mass for action and present leaders. The session was ended with the individual commitment of the participants and feedback collection. Participants rated the workshop as interactive, fun filled and informative.

Concerning youths on history, culture and conservation at WASH FORUM

By: Phurba Sange Moktan

Is there anyone who doesn’t get amazed when heard that the foundation of ‘Eco-city’ was conceptualized thousand years ago on the cities of Kathmandu Valley? Yes, this is true fact which was revealed by Mr. Padma Sundar Joshi, UN-HABITAT among 36 youths from various fifteen dimensions at WASH FORUM (Monthly talk program) on September 26, 2011 at ENPHO Hall, New-Baneshwor.

As a part of the monthly talk series, “Machhendranath Jatra and Stone spouts in Patan” was the topic for the August series in which Mr. Padma shared his insights with interesting facts, figures, historic backgrounds, cultural patterns and conservation aspects of traditional stone water spouts existing in Kathmandu Valley. He emphasized on consumption along with conservation of the resources for the sustainable management of resources. The Machhendranath Jatra is a celebration of the water culture that links  sustainable water management with socio-cultural practices”, he said, “The association of cultural behaviors and conservation of stone spouts was very predominant during Malla Regimes in Newar Communities of Kathmandu Valley, which was gradually degrading in Rana Regimes and destructed rapidly with respect to urbanization on last two decades.”

He also encouraged youths to be either activists or, management stakeholders for the sustainable solution. The program ended with the vote of thanks from Mr. Phurba Sange Moktan. WASH FORUM is the monthly talk program which held on every last Friday of English Month at 2 pm to 4 pm at ENPHO Hall, New-Baneshwor with the joint efforts of “paschim paaila” and ENPHO.