Sanitation, Hygiene and Cleanliness
Sanitation is a physical measure that has probably done more to increase human life span than any other drug or surgery. To lead a healthy lifestyle, it is very essential to maintain proper sanitation and cleanliness. In today’s times when there are severe outbreaks of life threatening diseases, it is paramount to ensure functioning provisions which aid in the promotion of sanitation and cleanliness in order to protect the nation from the clutches of incurable sickness.
Wherever there are human settlements, waste is bound to accumulate. When the accumulated waste is left unattended, it tends to contaminate the entire locality thus jeopardizing the health of the all the residents. It also causes several other problems such as water clogging which results in mosquito breeding. The foul smell that is caused due to the rotting of waste is also highly disturbing. Improper disposal of waste also creates problems on roads as they block large sections.
Another ignored yet important aspect to maintain ideal sanitation standards is the existence of clean toilets. Toilets are the basic necessity that an individual requires. Yet, there are certain areas in our country where there are no toilets. This poses a great risk as inappropriate disposal of human fecal waste might lead to deadly infections. It becomes extremely difficult for women in rural villages or slums as there is no hygienic facility which aids them. They sacrifice their safety and personal dignity each time they defecate in the open. There have been reports that people who go out to defecate in the open are often subjected to greater threats such as looting or harassments on the roads. In fact, according to latest statistics, India is ranked #1 among the countries where open defecation still exists.
Thus, there is a dire need to ameliorate sanitation and cleanliness in order to maintain a disease-free environment for the betterment of all the citizens of the country.
Therefore, we at FRNV aim to work on this sector to improve the current condition that is prevailing in the nation.
For this, we have been working on installing mobile toilets in Kumar Colony, Malviya Nagar in Delhi. With time, we would be spreading this initiative across the national capital region as well as the country.
Several cleanliness drives and awareness workshops have also been conducted in various parts of the city with great response from the local residents.
FRNV aspires to work dedicatedly to provide proper cleanliness and sanitation across the country.
At FRNV, we believe that Values have a very close relationship and direct correlation with good environmental surroundings, good state of individual health and community health.
These Values are very critical for essential human development. In light of this, FRNV has started working on Health, Hygiene and Sanitation program in the chosen intervention areas such as slum clusters of Hauz Rani, Sangam Park and New Ashok Nagar. These areas have been identified as high risk areas as initial findings revealed that there are less toilets as compared to the population of some of these clusters. We also found out that there is less awareness in the community with regard to health and capacity to plan solution for their own problems. There is no intervention in these areas by any other NGO or Voluntary organization with regards to promoting values related to health, hygiene and sanitation.
We identified that in these areas how these problems have lead to a compromise in Values which we aspire to promote. The long term goal is to promote Values such as cleanliness, human dignity, self respect, self love, universal love for humanity, being sensitive to environment and good citizenship in these target areas.
The way FRNV envisions to achieve this is to use a unique way of blending advocacy, radical action and impactful community engagement and participation.
The key focus areas of this project include:
- Prevention of open defecation
- Improved sanitary condition
- Awareness and implementation of Waste Segregation and Management
- Awareness about water-borne, vector-borne diseases and other infectious diseases
- Awareness on Menstrual hygiene
- Awareness about Mental Health
FRNV organizes awareness programs like health meetings, sanitation drives, Nukkad Natak, hand washing workshops etc. to successfully engage community so that they become sensitive towards their current problems and resolve to take ownership of it. We assume the role of resource agency which provides indirect leadership and facilitates to strengthen this movement of community leadership.
We also focus on building the capacity of the community so that they are able to explore possible solutions and act on them.
We collaborate and liaison with agencies such as MCD, PHCs, Schools, Anganwadi workers, local elected representatives and like-minded NGOs, so that the innovative solution oriented community action involves all major stakeholders and entire process become more engaging at all levels, thereby achieving the desired result for the beneficiaries.