It has been 5 long years since VIN started to support Jitpurphedi for Open Defecation Free (ODF) zone campaign. On 27th August, 2016, the Tarkeshwor Municipality ward 7 & 8 (Jitpurphedi VDC) finally announced Tarkeshwor as ODF zone.
In a formal program organized by ward office, Executive Officer of the municipality, Agni Prasad Adhikari was chief guest and DSP Santosh Tamang were present as the special guest of the program. Secretary of the Samyukta Ward Office, Hari Krishna Aryal was honored as the Chairperson of the program. The other guests present in the program were VIN’s Executive Director Bhupendra Ghimire, representatives of different political parties, Principals of different schools, Ward coordinator of Nagarik Manch, President of Women’s cooperative limited, representatives of Regional Monitoring and Supervision Office, Municipality Water Sanitation and Hygiene Committee Coordination members, Health Post in charge Lila Singh Khatri and other. There were about 300 people presented in the event.
Special guest of the program, Agni Prassad Adhikari formally announced the Tarkeshwor Municipality as ODF by opening declaration board and announcing commitment with locals from the area. Tarkeswore municipality ward office has felicitated VIN from the hand of Executive office for its tremendous support for the campaign. VIN’s executive director Bhupendra Ghimire received the recognition letter. Also 35 other people who supported the campaign were felicitated at the program.
This achievement has been a milestone for VIN. When VIN conducted baseline survey in the Jitpurphedi area to prepare different programs that could be implemented there to improve the life standard of the people, the area had a poor health condition. About 60% of households didn’t have toilets in their house. They used to defecate in the open areas that created different kinds of health problems among people. It was a meticulous task to complete the toilet construction. There were people who had a completely different mindset regarding toilet construction. They just did not want to construct toilet. VIN conducted different meetings and multiple awareness programs. Yet, at the end of the day, we have succeeded in the mission.
VIN was about to complete the toilet construction in mid-2015. But with the destructive earthquake of 25th April, 2015, everything turned into rubble. Some of the toilets constructed by VIN also turned into a stack of rubble. But VIN did not get discouraged by this. In fact, VIN started reconstructing toilets in the area. Now, after constructing 406 toilets, we have been successful to transfer Jitpurphedi area in to ODF from no toilet zone. This has been quite an achievement for us.
Although Tarkeshwor Municipality ward 7 & 8 is declared as ODF, challenge still remains there. The challenge is more about continuation of the toilet culture, maintenance and proper use of the toilet. However, VIN hopes to overcome those possible challenges in the near future and support to transfer the community into total sanitation. VIN would like to thank all partners, local and international volunteers who supported this campaign to reach the goal. We express special thanks to municipality ward office, regional monitoring and supervision office, water sanitation and hygiene coordination committee, political leaders, social workers, school principals and teachers, women and children and local youths for their cooperation. We would like to remember those families who supported us during toilet construction.
Published on: 28 Aug 2016
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