Environment & Culture (Garbage management & Celebration of Holi festival) – (ENV, CULT, EDU)

 
Background/Project:
 
Part I: Garbage management
The protection of the environment is a major challenge today. The solid waste management should be an urgent action to protect the environment. Solid waste is a by-product of human activities, which tends to increase with rapid urbanization, improved living standard and changing consumption patterns. Management of increasing amount of solid waste has become a major challenge in many communities in Nepal. If solid waste is properly used it can be a valuable resource, but if it is not effectively managed, it can result in serious adverse impact on environment and public health.
The problems associated with the disposal of waste in public places in VIN’s working communities, including schools, are numerous and they include littering of food remains and other waste materials.
There is a potential health risks associated with the poor management of solid waste .Children are particularly susceptible to respiratory problems caused by dust from dumping sites and also to diarrhoea ,skin disease and eye infection amongst other diseases.
Non-biodegradable waste (NBW) is common in communities that are urbanised or within the vicinity of an urbanised environment.  Nepal has a huge challenge of NBW visible to the naked-eye. This NBW phenomenon is a much larger issue in rural communities such as Kavresthali and Okharpauwa community located beyond the outskirts of Kathmandu.  Preventing the build-up of NBW in communities becomes top priority as diseases derived from NBW increases the prevalence of disease related to sanitation and consumable products.  Furthermore, NBW causes degradation to the land. The majority of farmers use to grow local products to feed their households and farm-stock. This project is designed to generate a change in the community with a theme of “Better Environment – Better Tomorrow”.
 
Part II: Celebration of Holi Festival
 
Holi, also known as Festival of colours, is one of the most popular festivals in Nepal. Holi is celebrated for the victory of good over evil and the coming of spring. During this colourful festival, Nepalese and foreign tourists will throw each other with dry powder and coloured water to express their sincere blessings and good wishes. It is also celebrated as a thanksgiving for a good harvest. Holi is an ancient Hindi religious festival which has become popular with non-Hindus in many parts of South Asia, as well as people of other communities outside Asia. People visit family, friends and foes to throw coloured powders on each other, laugh and gossip, then share Holi delicacies, food and drinks. The frolic and fight with colours occurs in the open streets, open parks, outside temples and buildings. Groups carry drums and other musical instruments, go from place to place, sing and dance.
 
2 days before the exit day, volunteers make the preparations and celebrate Holi festival in the community.
 
Objective:

• Prevent and control water, land and air pollution through environment education and cleaning activities.
• Understand the importance of holi festival and know how it is celebrated.

 
Activities:-

• Organize the waste management /Community clean-up campaign involving community people.
• Train local people on garbage management (segregation, disposal, domestic methodology to make compost fertilizer etc.)
• Develop the concept of kitchen garden and train the households to implement it in their homes.
• Celebration of festival of colors with positive energy in the community.

 
Placement Support Process: The first day is arrival day and each volunteer is greeted and received by VIN local staff at the airport and taken to a local host family.  On the second day volunteers will receive a full day orientation at VIN offices in Kathmandu. The placement orientation will cover cultural tips, survival phrases on Nepali language, health tips, preparation for project activities and an introduction to VIN. Volunteers will always be guided by a Nepali camp leader and VIN supervisors will visit them time to time for follow up and support. Should you have any concerns on the work camp, you may always call VIN for immediate help. On the last day of the work camp, volunteers will submit a detailed work report, fill up an exit form and sit with VIN executives for an exit interview and feedback session.
 
Location: Tarakeshwor : Tarakeshwor municipality is situated in the outskirts of Kathmandu District. It is around 10-15 km from main ring road to Balaju, Kathmandu covered with hills, fields and woods.
 
Accommodation:  The volunteers will stay with the host family/hostel identified by VIN.  The living facilities are simple and basic. Male and female volunteers will share the same living area with separate rooms.  The volunteers sleep on simple beds / mattress. Please bring your sleeping bag.
 
Language: Basic English should be spoken among the participants.
 
Participation Fee: The participation fee is 200 Euros (+30 Euro for transportation), which is to be paid on arrival at VIN Office.
 
The Participation Fee Covers:

• Food and Accommodation: Nepali Standard at a local host family – 3 meals a day
• Transportation: Airport pick up and pick up and drop to the working community site
• Materials for the work-camp and community development projects support
• Local volunteers’ support cost
• VIN T-shirt, and certificate of participation
• 24 hours emergency support
• VIN admin cost.

 
What’s excluded?
Airfare, VISA, Travel medical insurance, return airport transfer, entrance fees on the world heritage sights, Personal travel and weekend activities expenses etc.
 
Meeting point: VIN staff will pick each volunteer from the airport. The volunteers are requested to send their flight details to VIN on time so that we can send our staff with your name card and VIN’s Logo.
If you want to come earlier and explore the country more, you may find pre-paid taxi at the airport or VIN may help you on that.
Airport : Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu
 
Leisure Activities: You can go for the sightseeing at various cultural heritage sites around Kathmandu. VIN also organizes weekends travel tours to Chitwan Jungle Safari, Pokhara, Nagarkot at an additional cost if you are interested.
[The detail info sheet and acceptance letter will be sent from VIN after we receive your Complete Volunteer Exchange Form (VEF) from the sending organization]