Kathmandu, Nepal – The relationship between CAWST and our overseas partner in Nepal, ENPHO (Environment and Public Health Organization) began in 2006 with the joint establishment of a Water Expertise and Training (WET) Centre in Nepal. Over the last 10 years CAWST and ENPHO have worked together to build the WET Centre into an exceptional training facility building the knowledge and skills of WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) practitioners in the country.

While searching for strategic partners around the world for our WET Centre program, we found that ENPHO was a natural fit in Nepal. It had been operating as a local NGO since 1990, promoting community-based approaches for improving WASH throughout the country. ENPHO has been well-known for its contributions to sustainable community development in Nepal through a combination of research, action and support in environmental and public health matters.

Given our long history with such an illustrious organization, I was extremely honoured and proud to have been in Nepal last month to witness ENPHO’s Silver Jubilee – its 25-year anniversary. The week-long celebration included launching a WASH Centre at its Kathmandu office to showcase all of its work, including WASH awareness and water quality testing campaigns at some of the field offices and inaugurating a pilot-scale fecal sludge treatment plant.

What impressed me most during the celebrations was the dedication of the staff. The enthusiasm, pride and passion for their work shone through the late-night preparations and last-minute revisions necessary for a grand production of this size. I had an opportunity to chat with people at all levels of the organization, and to capture this energy and excitement for the future.

For further information, please visit the link below:
http://www.cawst.org/blog/

 

By: Lena Bunzenmeyer. She is an International Technical Advisor with CAWST and trains WASH practitioners in Nepal.