Youths getting information on Gender and WASH as the matter of concern

Youths getting information on Gender and WASH as the matter of concern

WASH forum is a common interaction forum for knowledge sharing and advocacy regarding water, sanitation & hygiene which is conducted every last Friday of English month. Following this trend, in 28^th December 2012, WASH forum entitled “Gender and WASH: A matter of Key concern to Youth” was held at Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO) hall, Thapagaun, New Baneswor.

The objective of the forum was set as to provide the opportunity for social interaction and knowledge sharing on Sanitation, Gender and Youth; and to critically analyze the issues of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) relating to gender and Youth, focusing on how it can be a matter of concern to this particular group.

Nurse by profession, Ms. Kalawati Pokhrel, country coordinator of Nepal WASH Alliance (NWA) was the key speaker of the WASH forum who not only drew youth’s attention towards Gender friendly WASH and its importance but also made us realize about the current scenario of water, sanitation and hygiene. Her long experience and good sense of humor kept the spirit of the forum where she even showed us the proper way of formation of WASH committee which is gender friendly and inclusive. Ms. Pokhrel related youths with gender, and requested them to be honest, sincere, responsible and corruption free.

The program had total 32 participants which was facilitated by Mr. Roshan Chaulagain, and coordinated by Ms. Rubita Pulami. Mr. Rajesh Adhikari, Promotional Manager of ENPHO, encouraged the participants with his enthusiastic welcome speech and Mr. Phurba sange Moktan inspired them with his concluding words.

“Creating income generating activities in the community involving entire group, male, female and specially Youth, will help Youths to get engage in the development activities and there will be equal distribution of work” answered Ms. Pokhrel upon the query of one participant that how cooperation between male , female and youth at Village can be done.

Prepared by: Rubita Pulami.

Deusivailo spread the messages: “Togetherness for water”

Deusivailo spread the messages: “Togetherness for water”

Tihar is considered as 2^nd greatest festival of Nepal. And “DeusiVailo” is one of traditional culture that is generally played for fun on this occasion. People form different age group plays deusi and vailo for entertainment from which people raise some funds; they all have their own purposes of raising fund.

Following this culture, youths from Paschim Paaila in collaboration with Pathivara Nava Yuva Club, Pathivara tole played DeusiVailo at different organizations and different community. This program was organized with the aim of raising funds that can be used for social cause as youth led initiatives.

The cause for the program was to upgrade the existing water supply facilities and constructing Bio-Sand Filter of Pathivara Community, Kapan VDC. Youths form Pathivara community contributed their talent for their own community which really inspires other youths as well. The objective was to support the efforts of youths from Pathivara to construct Bio-Sand Filter that can supply water to whole community and also to develop the better fellowship between community, Youths and various organizations working in the Environmental Health and Disaster sector.

“Deusivailo” program was played on six different organizations which were Environment & Public Health Organization (ENPHO), WASH-Resource Center Network Nepal (WASH-RCNN), AYON, UN-HABITAT, Oxfam, Clean Energy Nepal on 13^th November, 2012. These organizations showed their support financially and also committed for technical support. This program was able to collect good fund and establish better relation with different organization that are working in the sector of WASH and environment. Total NRs. 28,401/- was collected form these organizations.

The team of Pathivara are now preparing for the implementation of the program. Further more Regional Technical Advisor of UN-Habitat, Mr. Bhusan Tuladhar, said -“UN-Habitat will always be there for other technical support as well if needed”. These words boosted up the energy of Youths from Pathivara and Paschim Paaila. Also all other organizations were delighted to be the part of the events and they also enjoyed a lot with the team.

“Let’s learn proper Handwashing”: Paschim Paaila continues to share the message.

“Let’s learn proper Handwashing”: Paschim Paaila continues to share the message. 

With the theme “Help more children reach their 5^th birthday”, 5^th Global Handwashing Day was celebrated with different activities from 13-15^th October, 2012 targeting school students of different places.

Kite flying is taken as one of fun filled activities of great festival Dashain. Especially at the festive seasons most of us ignore hygiene and food safety. In order to aware local people to be conscious and marking Global Handing Washing Day, Paschim Paaila organized Handwashing day special Hiking at Champadevi, Pharping and Change Chet competition at White House Danda, KIrtipur which were the trekking route on 13^th October, 2012. Different Handwashing messages and slogans were written at the kite. 15 Youths participated at the hiking program. “This is a great idea to learn, share with such a fun” - said one of the participated hikers.

On the same day, Ms. Merina Shakya, Network Coordinator and Mr. Buddha Bajracharya , Campaign Coordinator  of Paschim Paaila shared on WASH issues and Handwashing techniques on “WASH Training” which was organized by Rotaract Club Jawalakhel at Sathi Ko Sath, an orphanage at  Hattiban Lalitpur. There were altogether 53 children and the other members of Sathi Ko Sath at the program.

Program was also conducted at Balmandir –Bal Sanrakchyan Griha, Siphal to demonstrate Handwashing technique & its importance and soap were also handed over for the Griha on 14^th October, 2012. Similarly, members of Paschim Paaila were involved on the Jhaukhel Drama and school awareness program on 15^th October, 2012.