May 2017

Nepal Hub
The WASH programme begins with a splash!
Objectives:
To increase the knowledge and understanding of Healthcare in the community with an emphasis on prevention.

Summary:

Since April this year teaching and healthcare volunteers have worked together to implement the WASH
programme. Over 170 students have participated in the 32 WASH based classes, and presented over 1280
minutes of teaching time. Through this programme students have the ability to develop a greater
understanding of water, sanitation and hygeine and how this plays an intergral role in their health.

Report

The aim of the WASH programme is to provide important information to students on water, sanitation
and hygiene. This program has started at an opportune time, as the rural school where we work has just
opened a new toilet block. Our teaching and healthcare team have come together to present this
important information to students and teachers. Along with the teaching, soap supplies and cleaning
materials have been provided to support the students with the aim that the new toilet block will stay
clean and hand washing will become a positive habit with the school children.

The volunteers have been busy teaching classes 2 to 9 in various topics such as introduction to germs, open defecation,
preparing for monsoon, water borne illness and the importance of drinking clean water. WASH materials such as posters
and hand washing flash cards have been created by volunteers as a reminder for students to in healthy hygiene habits.

As monsoon approaches in Nepal there is no better time to be teaching students WASH

topics. An article in the Himalayan Times recently commented on the increase of diarrheal
cases reported in Nepal and a very early detection of Cholera in early June pre monsoon. It is
estimated that each year 30,000- 40,000 die due to diarrheal diseases in Nepal. The majority
of deaths due to cholera. This reiterates the important work volunteers do here in Nepal.

Through the WASH programme children are taught the importance of hand-washing, as well
as recognizing the signs and symptoms of waterborne illness such as Typhoid and Cholera.
Children learn how to make their own home remedy for fighting dehydration and diarrheal
illness (ORS), they learn to understand why open defecation is not good and how to detect
and treat dirty water. Moving forward, students will also learn about good hygiene habits
and such as oral health and personal cleanliness.

During a run of 3 public holidays, the children had an opportunity to partake in a WASH camp.
Children participated in WASH related games such as poo relay using a paper ball and a bucket as
a toilet, used plastic bottles to make miniature toilets and making their own soap. After every
game, a group hand washing session would take place reinforcing the hygienic behaviour.
Working with similar games, the WASH program was presented to the children at Conversation
Club. A big hit was using glitter to act as germs highlighting the invisible aspect of germs.

Teachers and students have been very receptive to the WASH program so far. We look forward
to continuing at other school sites. A big thank you to all the volunteers who make this programme
possible!