Sanitation Trailblazers; Resilient Children in Nepal Project (STRCN)

Project Summary:

In the spring of 2015, Nepal was struck by one of the largest earthquakes the country had ever seen which led children in Chaurideurali RM, Kavre are, as in most emergencies, among those who suffered most after the earthquakes. In connection with this, previously, WaterAid was working in 39 schools of Chaurideurali Rural Municipality to stimulate children’s learning on resilient WASH and DRR through classroom learning, drama, competitions and games under the project ‘Sanitation Trailblazers: Resilient Children in Nepal (STRCN)’ through another partner organization since the initial project start period i.e. July 2019 till April 2020. The initial coordination and preparatory works were previously done along with delivery of few planned activities based on Results Framework. WaterAid Nepal, in partnership with Civic Forum, then continued to work for the same project from November, 2020 in same 39 schools which will directly benefit 3,300 Students and 90 Teachers in the 39 schools along with 50 RM Staff and indirectly 9000 people from 2000 household via. child clubs, school management committees, parents, teachers, local municipal government bodies and other relevant stakeholders, empowering the children to become WASH advocates and spreading the knowledge in their home communities.

Chaurideurali Rural Municipality, in spite of being close to district headquarter, is quiet backward in terms of proper education, economic and social aspects. Most of the people are engaged in traditional agriculture and animal husbandry in these areas whereas some are in foreign employment and very few are found to be engaged in service oriented jobs and businesses. Most of the people living in Chaurideurali are of Tamang community with significant number of Brahmin, chhetri, dalits and marginalized group of people living together. Discrimination based on caste and gender inequalities are some common practices seen in these communities. Similarly, schools being part of the community, most of the schools are found to be least facilitated with proper water/ drinking water supply, well facilitated toilets, school menstrual hygiene management infrastructures and other DRR and WASH related facilities. As now, the schools are gradually reopening after a long gap due to covid-19, it is the best time to start training and orienting children, teachers, management committees and all other related personnel on DRR and WASH related subjects with proper health safety.

Objectives:

• To capacities School children, teachers, management committees on Disaster Preparedness to contribute to WASH resilience in schools and home communities, even in the face of future disasters.
• To capacities Rural Municipality in Disaster Preparedness to ensure WASH resilience in schools, even in the face of future disasters.
• To support the preparation on DRR informed School WASH improvement plans and its implementation while at the same time integrating WASH in education and ensuring all children, including both girls and boys as well as children with disabilities are reached.

Expected Results:

Project Outcome 1: Strengthen children’s resilience and disaster preparedness in Chaurideurali rural municipality of Kavrepalanchok district.

Project Outcome 2: Increased knowledge and awareness of students, teachers, school management committees, parent teacher associations and the Chaurideurali Rural Municipality on safe and resilient WASH practices and disaster preparedness.

Major Achievements: