Community Sensitization Campaign for Healthy Environment

Community Sanitation Sensitization Campaign for Healthy Environment

By: Giri Raj Khatri

On the occasion of World Environment Day-11 and National Sanitation Week-68, community sanitation sensitization campaign was launched on two communities of Kathmandu Valley in which the event were supported from ENPHO and UN-Habitat Urban Youth Fund. Different sorts of activities were conducted in Chyasal Community, Lalitpur and Pathivara Community, Kathmandu during June 6-9, 2011.

The local Youth WASH Circle in coordination with youth clubs, CBOs, Mother Groups organized series of event. More than 500 people were aware through the documentary entitled 'Dhalmati'. Similarly, Community cleaning initiatives were launched in both communities for a week with active participation of youths and other community people. Different public place, street, schools were cleaned up.

In addition, different hygiene behavior like proper hand washing technique, POU option for water treatment, Solid waste management system were shared by trained youths. The drawing competition was also organized at pathivara tole under the theme ‘children for water and sanitation’ and the prize was distributed to the winner at the last day of the campaign. Also, they committed to follow such activates in future in planned way to create surrounding area healthy and environmentally friendly. "Today I feel proud myself because I contribute something to my society"- said by Yusna Banjankar, event coordinator, Chayasal Youth Club-WASH Circle.

The campaign was conducted under “National Environment-Sanitation Week-2011, June 1-14, 2011” which was jointly organized by ENPHO/"paschim paaila" and NYCA in collaboration with different other stakeholders.

Youths in the process of Transforming Waste into Wealth

Youths in the process of Transforming Waste into Wealth

By: Kamala KC

With the main objective of making youths as an entrepreneur, “paschim paaila” organized the three days training entitled “Transforming waste into wealth” for the youths of 16-32 years having different background from June 2-4, 2011 as a part of WASH Led Youth Empowerment Project Supported by The UN-HABITAT Urban Youth fund and Environment & Public Health Organization (ENPHO).

The training was mainly divided into three parts i.e. Day first as the day for General overview and waste art, Day second as the day for composting and hands on practice and Day third as the day for field visit and action planning.

“People’s perception about waste as out of sight, out of mind is also very important to change in fact”, said by Mr. Rajesh Manandhar, UN-HABITAT during his presentation. Similarly, Mrs. Sangita Shrestha and Mrs. Dilshova Shrestha, Nagal Youth Club explained and demonstrated the art from waste i.e. from unused milk’s plastic and also conducted practical session among the participants.

Furthermore, Mr. Kishor Maharjhan,Tri-Chandra College stressed on Vermi-composting and Mrs. Sanu maiya Maharjhan, Kathmandu Metropolitan city facilitated on Bin composting and 3R principle with the practical examples. Moreover, Field visit to Teku Transfer Station, ECO-Home Kritipur and WEPCO demonstration site further helped the participants to see practical examples, and felt the opportunities vs. challenges by themselves in practical life as well.

At the end of training, the participants were appreciated and congratulated with few remarks by Mr. Bhusan Tuladhar, UN-HABITAT with the distribution of certificates. And also, two participants were gifted vermi for vermi-composting with encouraging their high eager to implement at home.

One more step towards healthy communities

One more step towards healthy communities

By: Mr. Ritesh Manandhar

“paschim paaila” organized a school WASH awareness program focusing on to aware the children from Nuns Welfare Foundation Nepal - Arya Tara Thangka Primary School Bhanjyang, Pharping on May 20, 2011.

The programme entailed songs, a short drama, slide presentations entitled, ‘Water pollution, their sources and process of their purifications’ and ‘Hygiene Promotion and Hand Washing’ followed by a docu-drama titled ‘Barsha’. The most important aspect was not only that the team informed them or just made them aware but the team also demonstrated the 6 proper ways of hand washing. An overwhelming response was received and in return, the children who learnt the proper ways of hand washing determined to teach their friends. A great achievement!

The numbers of total participants including teachers of the school were 70 in total. Respected Ani Choying Dolma, who is also the founder of the same school, was also present to encourage proper learning. Furthermore, It is not the sole responsibility of organizations only but is of everyone, especially youth group who should emerge up to combat the tragedies of death toll to ensure a healthy life of an individual and healthy nation as a whole.