Overcoming capacity gaps in fecal sludge management through education and training

2.7 billion people around the world are in need of Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) services, and this number is expected to rise to 4.9 billion by 2030. Key FSM challenges include the gap in knowledge related to the science behind FSM, the lack of skills and experience in viable implementation models, and the absence of policy to ensure an enabling environment. The Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technologies (CAWST) is working toward filling the capacity gaps in FSM through developing and delivering education and training activities to sanitation implementers. This paper describes the systematic program development process that CAWST undertook to plan and develop the education materials, pilot the FSM workshop to sanitation implementers in Nepal, and use the feedback to improve and finalize the education materials. Results and feedback from the pilot workshop are discussed, and next steps are explained

Training on WASH in the transition from emergency to development in earthquake affected areas of Nepal

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Nepal in April 2015 caused extensive damage to water and sanitation networks, resulting in a high risk of negative health impacts from diarrhoeal diseases. In response to the disaster, the Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO) collaborated with the Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST), to develop two training programs to educate volunteers on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) needs. The first training focused on acute response, and the second focused on longer term recovery. Using these programs, ENPHO trained over 470 community volunteers during the acute phase and has since trained another 226 volunteers during the recovery phase. Through training these volunteers, ENPHO has reached many communities, providing services in 11 of 14 earthquake-affected districts. CAWST plans to assess the feasibility of decontextualizing the training and support materials so they can be widely disseminated and used in the emergencies