Better WASH for Healthy Nepal

Seasonal greetings and I would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude towards all our donors, supporters and well-wishers for your continuous support in our program. Without your support we would not have been able to serve the needy community in our country. During this quarter of year, we have been able to accomplish following activities:

On-The-Spot-Essay Competition:

As a celebration of “Environment day” “On-The-Spot Inter-School Essay Competition” was organized in Shanti Bhagwati Higher Secondary School Letang, East Nepal on June 5th and in Namuna Machindra Higher Secondary School, Lagankhel Kathmandu in June 16th. The competition was open for all the students studying in grade 6 to 10. The students were divided into 2 different categories according to their grade as Category I includes students from Grade 6 & 7 and Category II includes students from Grade 8 – 10.

Altogether 250 students from more than one hundred schools participated in the competition. Water related topics were given on the spot and 2 hours of time was allocated to write on that topic. The best three essays in each category along with the special recognition to one visually impaired student (who wrote the essay in Braille script) were declared on July 15 and prizes were given on July 23, 2012 during the ECCA Silver Jubilee Celebration Program.

Wall Painting:

A wall painting to remind the local people on using WATASOL for using treated drinking water was painted outside the school premises in various schools. This helps school to keep it as a centre point of attraction.

Extension of Program in Dolkha District:

Safe Drinking Water for Healthy Nepal Program was extended to Dolkha district (in August 2012).  Dolkha is a hilly district in central north region of Nepal. Two schools – Shree Maghgau Secondary School and Shree Kali Dhunga Higher Secondary School located in Mirge, Dolakha are now implementing this program. Training program on using chlorinator and awareness raising activities were organized in both of the schools.

Door to door and Poster promotion

20 Students from Harisidhi Nature Club and Kitini Nature Club organized a door to door program and Poster promotion program at their community to make the community aware about various methods of water purification techniques and promotion of WATASOL in their community. They visited houses in their locality and oriented each household owner regarding its need and importance to stay healthy.

With the above notes, we would like to express our sincere thanks to all our donors, supporters, well-wishers and the globalgiving team for your continuous support in our initiation. We would also like to request you to disseminate the information of our program in your circle so as to raise funds and support the needy community. We hope for your feedback, comments and suggestion regarding our program at ecca@mos.com.np so that we could implement our program more effectively.

Regards,

Angel Chitrakar

angel@ecca.org.np

Program Officer

ECCA, Nepal.

Shari Davis & Ellen Currin are InTheField Travelers with GlobalGiving who are visiting our partners’ projects throughout Nepal. Their “Postcard” from their most recent visit in Nepal:

Climbing a rickety wooden ladder, I stepped over some metal and through a small hole to reach the roof of Shree Harisioohi Higher Secondary School. Two students were already waiting for me atop the water tank, ready to show me their daily routine of adding “WATASol” chlorine solution to the school’s water supply.  The students were part of the school’s nature club: a student-led group active in environmental and population health, present in 113 schools throughout Nepal. Environmental Camps Conservation Awareness (ECCA) started the clubs in 1992, just one example of their successful programming motivating youth towards environmental conservation and community health.  Six of the students from the group sat down with me to go over their current and future programs, which included community dramas about clean water, documentaries in neighboring schools and educating fellow students about healthier snack choices.

Sitting at a table with Angel Chitrakar, it was clear impact ECCA has had on his career. Starting as a volunteer counselor, he has been with the organization for 10 years and is now a senior program officer, helping conduct trainings and develop programs to protect and conserve nature.  Angel spoke about two important aspects which have led to ECCA’s success: its target population of children and youth and its focus toward activities versus activism.  Angel explained that having an impact on children ensures sustainability for the future and that activities have a greater impact than rallies and protests. He clearly believes in the mission of ECCA and has great hopes for its continued impact in the future.

Before leaving ECCA’s project site, we visited the home of a school graduate, who had been very active in the nature club. Thanks to training from ECCA, he was able to learn how to use a “WATA” device, which produces chlorine to purify drinking water. This bright young man showed us the process of mixing the solution, activating the device, and checking the water quality once the newly-made chlorine solution is added. He produces chlorine daily for use in the school’s water tank, and also sells the “WATASol” product door-to-door in the community, all the while educating the community on the importance of safe drinking water. An entrepreneur and public health advocate, this young graduate is a great example of ECCA’s vision for a healthier future for the people and climate of Nepal.

Links:

• Check out our ECCA website!