Background/Project: Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world, with over 35% of the population living below the poverty line. Access to proper health and sanitation facilities is often very limited and awareness of correct hygiene practices is low. Only 46% of the population has access to toilets, leaving 54% to practice open-air defecation. A baseline survey conducted by VIN indicated that 26% of the Jitpur Phedi communities are illiterate, Hygiene awareness and access to health and sanitation facilities is also very low, with VIN and community estimates suggesting that around 40-50% of households do not have access to a permanent toilet and low standards of hygiene contributing to high instances of gastrointestinal and other illnesses.
VIN intends to achieve "stool-free" (Open Defecation Free) status for Jitpur Phedi, with each family having access to and being motivated to use a toilet. The implementation of the Stop Open Defecation Campaign is expected to generate a significant improvement in the health and sanitation conditions of the community, observable as a reduction in the occurrence of sickness within the community and an improved quality of life. In this time, VIN has supported the building of over 130 toilets in Jitpurphedi community 35% Households don't have toilets yet. Workcampers can contribute building toilets for the needy households.
Objectives: To construct toilets to the needy households, to raise awareness on health and sanitation to community people and to Stop Open Defecation.
Work: Toilet construction and awareness campaign.
Location: Jitpur community of Kathmandu District, which is only about 11 km away from main ring road to Balaju, Kathmandu
Accommodation: The volunteers will stay with the host family/hostel identified by VIN. The living facilities are simple and basic. Male and female work campers will share the same living area with separate rooms. There will be 2-4 persons in one room. Workcampers are required to sleep on the simple beds and carry their sleeping bags.
Language: Basic English should be spoken among participants
Fee: The participation fee will be 200 Euros to be paid on your arrivals, covering foods, local transport, accommodation, administration cost, and material for the camps, T-shirt, and VIN certificate of participation. Volunteers are requested to bear their own health and travel insurance. Please keep it in your mind that all personal expenses and free day expenses are excluded.
Meeting point: VIN office, Balaju on the first day at the latest 12.00 midday.
Airport : Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu
Leisure Activities: Either before or after your workcamp, there exists the option to undertake a short VIN-organized tour to one of Nepals nearby attractions.