Sharing on “Disaster and Epidemics” at School

Disaster is unexpected and destructive event that may occur any time with

less or no warning, therefore it is necessary to be prepared for such events. In order to make people aware regarding disaster, its effects and safety “paschim paaila” conducted a class at Lovely Angel English Boarding School, Faika Chowk Kapan. Class was conducted on 3^rd February 2012, for half day together with students from class 7-9.Youths from “paschim paaila” shared their knowledge on Disaster, its general types but main focus was given to the Earthquake. As for Nepal “Earthquake” is considered as major disaster, information  regarding its impact and safety measures that can be applied at Pre-event, during and Post event should be provided and shared.

Earthquake itself is a great disaster as we can never know exact time, date and place of the earthquake. Therefore, it is very important for all of us to be well prepared. Not only we but all people of the nation should be made aware about such disasters. Kathmandu valley is placed in the earthquake susceptible environs. Inhabitants of these places are aware of the threat that may be produced due to the earthquake but still they are ignoring the whole story .All these issues should be openly discussed at school level too.

In order to make the class more interactive, the class was conducted as interaction, learning & sharing session through paper presentation. We could see active involvement of student. Students showed their interest on the topic “Earthquake and epidemics” where they shared their ideas regarding these issues.The classes also helped them to boost up their information arena. They learned about the nature and the impact the earthquake, epidemic that may arises after the disaster, different safety methods applicable during the events.

Youths for initiating WASH Resource Center

Youths for initiating WASH Resource Center

By: Kamala KC

Urban poor population in Kathmandu valley is rapidly increasing which is causing environmental health risks associated with unsafe drinking water, lack of sanitation facilities, poor hygiene behavior and improper management of waste. To address these, "paschim paaila" in partnership with ENPHO and UNHABITAT has been implementing the 'WASH Led Youth Empowerment Project in two selected urban poor communities of Kathmandu Valley' in coordination with local youths and other stakeholder. As a part of this project, Youth Led WASH Resource Center was established in each community on December, 2011.

Considering the proverb by Ralph Ellison “Education is all a matter of building bridges”, it is very important that all have access and right to information. With the objective of providing knowledge and common platform for learning and sharing center on water, sanitation and hygiene for Youths, Children and community people, WASH Resource Centre was established with active leadership of Chayasal Youth Club (CYC) and Pathivara Nava Yuwa Club (PNYC) at Shramik Shanti Higher Secondary School (SSHSS) and Pathivara Primary School (PPS) respectively.

Community WASH Resource Centers are playing vital roles for the exploration of the knowledge on the issues related to the WASH.  The School Children and the community people are utilizing their free time by studying the literature, researches and other information regarding the WASH issues. “Youths who are highly eager in working for the sensitization on the Water, sanitation and Health and in search for enhancing the knowledge get good platform” said by Miss Sunjina Byanjankar, Youth from Chayasal Yuwa Red Cross Circle. All community people, school teachers and children were highly welcoming this initiative of local youths. “We all teachers and students are really inspire by this good initiative” said by Mr. Shyam Lal Byanjankar, Principle of SSHSS. “I believe that all our students and community people get more knowledge through this resource Centre and will contribute in the sector of WASH and environment” he added.

Vailo vs. Sanitation: Youths’ engagement for Nuwakot School WASH initiatives

Vailo vs. Sanitation: Youths’ engagement for Nuwakot School WASH initiatives

By: Buddha Bajracharya

Vailo Team of “paschim paaila” reunited together to fulfill its major objective to manage water supply and sanitation in Lamagaun primary school, Thangsing VDC, Nuwakot District on 20th January, 2012 with the proactive engagement of 20 youths (Paailas). 

This visit was most awaited, so each member enjoyed to the fullest of the visit. The students were divided into two groups and awareness classes were conducted to students from one to five classes. The students were very much interested about the class in which they enjoyed hand washing techniques; WASH Docu-show, WASH Games, etc. Furthermore, a WASH Circle of 7 members was formed according to the activeness of the students from each class. Leadership to coordinate WASH Circle was given to Ms. Menuka Lama, teacher of same school, so that WASH Circle activities can be conducted smoothly. Similarly, feasibility study for water management was also done at the school.

Alongside, a meeting was conducted with the School Management Team, parents and community leaders. Mr. Kari Yadav, Principal shared that they were very happy and have their strong commitment. Likewise, Mr. Lalit Tamang, president, School Management Committee, expressed his happiness regarding the initiatives of “paschim paaila”. The meeting took its end with great achievements, commitments and also it was finalized to conduct another meeting soon fixing the date. “This trip to Nuwakot went successful with active participation of all the Paailaas and furthermore the water and sanitation management system is soon going to be managed in this school as a part of next step from the PP-Vailo Team”. Said by Mr. Sujan Manandhar, team member.