WASH Exhibition @ Water Expo-2012

WASH Exhibition @ Water Expo-2012

By:  Ms. Merina Shakya

As a part of the event “Nepal Water Expo 2012”, Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO), “paschim paaila” and Center for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST) jointly exhibited with the objective of sharing new possible technologies; values, importance, uses, reuse and recycling of waste water with public. Hands on demo of low cost water technology i.e., Bio-sand filter by Shivadas Gamal, Field Co-ordinator, ENPHO; Constructed wetland, SODIS technology, Eco-san were main attraction of the exhibition.

The event was formally inaugurated by former Minister of Environment Science & Technology, Mr. Ganesh Shah, actor Mr. Rajesh Hamal, Mr. Rabi Giri and actress Ms. Jharana Thapa by watering the plant in the vase. In the first day, participants were specially form institutions. The exhibition time was scheduled from 11am to 6pm. “It is far better to use local resources for the purification of water as low cost water technology”-said a visitor after knowing about the Bio-Sand Filter. Most of the visitors were also fascinated by social marketing of Piyush and P/A Vial (Bacteria test kit) with subsidies rate. Visitors were also comforted for getting update from different organization in water sector. The exhibition was held for 3 days starting from 4^th to 6^th May, 2012.

Untangling the Knot regarding Water, Sanitation and Food Security on WASH FORUM

By: Merina Shakya

March, considered as the month of water, being celebrated World Water Day on 22^nd of March. The theme for this year was “Water and Food Security”. Focusing on the issue the topic entitled “Water Sanitation and Food Security: Untangling the Knot” was conducted on 30^th March 2012 as a part of WASH FORUM, March discussion series.

                             

Mr. Madan Kumar Chapagain, Department of Food Technology and Quality Control shared key notes on “Water Sanitation and Food Security: Interlinking three factors relating water sanitation and food security”. He focused on perspectives of water and food security, some facts, present scenarios and challenges on the issues. He also highlighted on the governmental efforts.

Following the session, Dr. Saroj Kumar Chapagain, Centre of Research for Environment, Energy and Water (CREEW) shared the outcomes of Nepal National Water Week-12 with linking the issues of water, sanitation and food security. He said, “All the efforts made in between has definitely supported to untangle the knots and shown the direction to the solution.” All participant form different institutions actively participated on the forum to untangle the knot relating the water sanitation and food security through the open discussion with resource persons.

Youths getting empowered on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Issues

By: Phurba Sange Moktan

Being key stakeholders for change, youths from different dynamics and arenas gathered to concern on the issues of WASH at “WASH Concern Workshop-III”- A full day training workshop focusing on youths on 17th March, 2012 at Thames Seminar Hall, Old-Baneshwor. The event was jointly organized “paschim paaila” and ENPHO with the venue support of Thames International College (TIC).

The workshop was based on open call participation. 21 youth participants from various institutions, organizations, clubs, etc. actively participated. The workshop was begun with the welcome remarks from Ms. Merina Shakya, event coordinator followed by the icebreaking from Ms. Kamala KC, Facilitator. First session was led by Mr. Brabim Chhetri, Secretary, AYON on “Youth as Change Maker” in which he shared his valuable personal experiences with change making examples that was very inspiring for the participants to do something by their own level. Similarly, Mr. Rajesh Adhikari, Program Manager, ENPHO took the second session on “Water, Health and Optimization” in which he delivered the ideas for drinking safe water and preserving water in present context, which was also found very fruitful. Then, the topic entitled, “Person Hygiene and Health” was led by Mr. Phurba Sange Moktan, Network Coordinator, “paschim paaila”. “Hygiene is about practicing in day to day life for self and caring self. Behaviour change is very crucial for hygiene promotion.” He said. Furthermore, Mr. Rajesh Manandhar, Program Manager, UNHABITAT shared about the importance of Waste Management with showing the solutions during his presentation entitled, “Sanitation and Waste Management”.

After the completion of thematic sessions, Team Synthesis and Performance session was facilitated by Mr. Phurba. Role playing, poem writing, slogan writing and statue presentation were performanced after the team synthesis from each team. On the basis of their team work and creativity, “Team of the batch” was declared. Likewise, Mr. Prabin Rai, one participant was also awarded from “WASH Ambassador Award” for being best participant for the workshop. Finally, the workshop was concluded with the participatory distribution of “Certificate of Participation”.