Improve Health & School Environment in Namdu Nepal

With the completion of sanitation kit distribution program, project schools of Namdu village have now entered into next phase (that is, construction of infrastructure related with WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene)). As discussed and decided during the Stakeholders Visioning Workshop held in January, the schools are being supported for the repair and construction of toilet, handwashing station, drinking water station etc.

"Our major problem had been drinking water", says Principal of Baiteshwor Secondary School. "We could not afford proper water storage tank for our students and it was really hard for them. Now that both water storage tank and drinking water station are being constructed by ECCA, our students are really happy."

Similar is the story of other schools. Students have to walk between 1 to 3 hours daily to come to the school and lack of drinking water and proper toilet in the school had been a real difficulty (especially for girl students). So, constructing WASH infrastructure is not just a school development approach but it also acts as an encouragement for students to attend school regularly.

The construction work is going on at present, and will benefit hundreds of students upon its completion.

We are really thankful for your support in helping us improve health and school environment in Namdu village.

In response to the need of hygiene kit support discussed during Stakeholders Visioning Workshop of January 2017, sanitation kits were supported to project schools of Namdu, Dolakha on May 30, 2017. Ms. Rachel Smith, Director of Programmes and Operations of GlobalGiving UK also attended the orientation and distribution program in Namdu village.

Sanitation kit is a wholesome package comprising of basic items required for personal hygiene (such as nail cutter, soap, comb, etc.) which is meant to help students of rural villages in a daily basis. The purpose of distributing this sanitation kit was also to make the children (and their parents) aware on the need to use such items regularly in their daily life. Considering the age group of students, 7 project schools having grade 2 and above were selected. But before distribution of sanitation kits, Sanitation Orientation Program was conducted for nature club representatives and one focal teacher from each school. 76 participants attended. This orientation focused on proper use of items included in the sanitation kit and on improving personal hygiene. Sessions were also held on safe drinking water techniques, sanitation, waste management and personal hygiene issues. More importantly, role of school club and teachers in maintaining good school environment was prioritized.

“We knew many things but we were not able to include them in our behavior” said Soniya, one of the students from Shree Busti Secondary School. “We will work along with teachers to bring positive behaviorial changes in our school.”

The oriented students/ child club representatives will share their knowledge with other friends in school, which includes providing instruction on proper use of items included in the sanitation kit and role of school club / school committee in ensuring its proper use. Distribution was carried out for the students from Grade 2 to 10, once the trainees conducted the orientation program in their respective schools.

“The kit is a huge support for our students”, said one of the teachers. “Thank you so much for the support.”

And, we thank you for your donation, which helped to make the program possible.