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.

WASH FORUM (DECEMBER SERIES) HIT THE ISSUES OF WASH ON URBAN POOR

WASH FORUM (DECEMBER SERIES) HIT THE ISSUES OF WASH ON URBAN POOR

By: Phurba Sange Moktan

WASH FORUM, a regular interaction program, scheduled at last Friday of every English month in which December series was focused on the issues of WASH on urban poor entitled, “WASH Issues and Informal Urban Settlement of Nepal” among 48 youths from various institutions and organizations on 31^st December, 2010 with joint collaboration of “paschim paaila”, ENPHO and WASH-RCNN.

The program was divided into two sessions, first for Key Note Presentation and second for Thematic Paper Presentation. As a key note presenter first session was led by Mrs. Lajana Manandhar, Executive Director, Lumanti. “Changing  thoughts for urban poor from squatter to informal settlement is also a big change happened during  15 years’,” Said by Mrs. Lajana Manandar, Lumanti with initiating her key note presentation. She shared her ideas on major WASH issues of informal urban settlements, as inadequate facilities, low priority from government and ownership issue of land (particularly for squatter communities) and also highlighted that unless and until such issues are address, the remarkable outputs cannot be taken. She also shared some solution approaches for solving these key issues. “Out of 366 settlements only 34 % and 48 % urban poor communities have access to safe drinking water and own latrine respectively” She said, “approaches and interventions concentrating to urban poor settlements from government and other stakeholders are the key requisites to promote the sustainable solutions.”

Second session was led by Dr. Murali Gopal Ranjitkar, Senior Environmental Consultant, DRILP-ADB as a Thematic Paper Presenter. He presented his presentation based on his Ph.D. Research completed recently on the topic entitled, “Management of Drinking Water Delivery System for Urban Poor Communities in Kathmandu Valley.” He presented his ideas based on the research along with the work experiences on WASH Sector on present management practices, urban poor consumers’ perceptions on water systems and practices, etc. He also recommended some possible alternatives for the effective management of water systems with respects to the kinds of communities which was got interesting by the participants. “The ultimate solution can only be seen if joining hands are seen from all sectors and levels, otherwise it will just be a preaching proverbs but nothing else.” Said Dr. Murali, at the end of his session.

Finally, the program was concluded with the concluding remarks by Mr. Phurba Sange Moktan, Coordinator, “paschim paaila” at around 4 pm.

Youths engaged for WASH awareness at Youth Sports Mela

Youths engaged for WASH awareness at Youth Sports Mela

By: Phurba Sange Moktan

As youths are considering the leaders of today, Youth Sports Mela justified it very well, which was the joint efforts of equal access with UNICEF, Rotary international and other stakeholders on 3rd and 4th December, 2010 on different parts of Nepal.

In the arena of remarkable role playing, “paschim paaila” became the one in which exhibition of different Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Health (WASH) technologies along with other sensitizing activities like handwashing demonstration and playing games were done on Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts. WASH EXHIBITION was conducted by “paschim paaila” jointly with ENPHO and CAWST. The participants of the Youth Sports Mela got interesting the different models and demonstration kits exhibited at the exhibition stall such as ecosan toilets, wastewater treatment plants, biosand filter, water testing kits, SODIS bottle, compost bin and different posters/leaflets. Handwashing demonstration at HANDWASHING STATION was another interesting part for the participants at the exhibition stall in which they not only understood the importance of handwashing but also got the opportunities to practice by themselves. “This demonstration practice of correct measures of washing hands with soap will definitely help me to continue ahead as well to improve my hygiene behavior”, Said, one participant from NAMS college.

“I hit a germ and got this soap”, said Ms. Shova, one student participant from TC after wining the prize for hitting a germ on a handwashing game, “HIT THE GERM”, which was also got very interesting among visitors. Ms. Kamala, facilitator said, “Game is just the way to get engaged, but the foremost objective is to help them to learn with fun.” Also, Photographs representing the health and hygiene situation of current Nepal was presented on the exhibition that was taken by “paschim paaila” campaigners during the epidemic response time on 2009. The money collected from the game and tickets were sent to the organizer that will ultimately go to the organizations working on differently able community.

Different stakeholders had different stall presentations on different issues. And different types of funny and learning games were played alongside. “We not only had fun, but also learnt important messages on different things including hygiene and health”, said, one participant from RAC Dillibazar.