Rajban WASH Project
|
|
The project area, Rajban village is located in ward no. 9 of Kalika Municipality in a distance of 50 km from Bharatpur, Headquarter of the District. The population count is 316 people from 56 household families of marginalized community of Chepang ethnicity.
The communities of Rajban, Maitesh, Fekbang, and Belchan relied on a drinking water system installed in 2001 by the District Drinking Water Office Bharatpur, Chitwan, until 2014. However, natural disasters like earthquakes and landslides damaged the infrastructure, leaving it non-functional. People from the communities must walk up to an hour to collect water from rivers or streams. The water is often polluted, especially during the rainy season, causing waterborne diseases and impacting hygiene, health, and sanitation.
Through the project, a newly installed drinking water system will provide clean drinking water to 316 people from 56 households through 55 taps, ensuring easy access within a minute’s walk. Complementing this, each household will receive training in kitchen gardening and participate in awareness programs on safe motherhood, health, and sanitation. These initiatives are part of a comprehensive health and sanitation improvement program aimed at enhancing overall community well-being, promoting sustainable practices, and improving health and hygiene standards across the community.
Time saved from water collection allows families to engage in productive activities such as income generation, provides children with more time to study, and fosters greater family interaction. Additionally, access to safe drinking water contributes to household food security by enabling better food preparation and hygiene. Families also experience a reduced incidence of waterborne illnesses, which not only improves overall well-being but also decreases healthcare expenditures.
Training in plumbing for five selected community members will aim to enhance their existing knowledge and skills through both theoretical and practical sessions. The program will focus on key concepts and techniques essential for the installation, maintenance, and repair of gravity-flow drinking water systems, ensuring participants gain a comprehensive understanding of plumbing practices.
Project Activities
a. Infrastructural Development Activity (IDP)
The project aims to enhance access to safe drinking water by implementing a gravity flow water system. This system will ensure the supply of clean drinking water through a sustainable and efficient approach. Key components of the project include the construction of intake and collection chambers at water sources, ferrocement reservoir tanks, and stone masonry water taps. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and galvanized iron (GI) pipes will be used for water distribution.
The program will utilize the Luktung and Duborang water sources, where intake and collection chambers will be constructed. A total of seven new reservoirs will be built: four Distribution Tank Reservoir with Variation Tank (DTRVT) in Karpark, Rajban, Sunggurung, and Fekbang, and three reservoirs (RVT) in Maitesh, Dinglang, and Belchan villages. Additionally, two existing reservoirs (RVT) in Rajban and Dinglang will be repaired. All reservoirs will be securely fenced with heavy galvanized gabion nets, and metal gates will be installed at their entrances.
The project will also include the construction of three crossings over watercourses and 55 water taps across the target areas. These taps will be protected with fencing made from locally available wood and bamboo, ensuring durability and safety.
b. Health and Sanitation Improvement Program
Health and Sanitation
The program will emphasize personal hygiene practices, wastewater management, proper techniques for washing and drying utensils, and the appropriate use and maintenance of toilets. Demonstrations of essential daily activities will include purifying drinking water, handwashing techniques, maintaining a clean environment, and managing waste through compost pits. The program will be conducted in two phases to ensure thorough understanding and implementation.
Kitchen Gardening
This initiative aims to enhance food security and promote access to a nutritious diet. Community members will receive guidance on kitchen gardening, covering essential topics such as garden structure, soil quality, fertilizer management, and vegetable nurseries. The program will involve both theoretical instruction and hands-on practice, benefiting participants from 56 household families.
Safe Motherhood Awareness Program
In remote and rural areas, women often face limited access to healthcare and lack awareness of safe motherhood practices, which are crucial for both maternal and neonatal health. Due to inadequate health facilities and certified personnel, many women in these regions experience persistent health issues. This program will be delivered in two phases, focusing on topics such as neonatal care, family planning, obstetric care, post-abortion care, and breastfeeding techniques.
View Gallery
