Working to improve Tarkeswore’s waste management (2019/08/01-08/31)

Nepal does not have a proper waste management system in place. As a consequence, it is leading to water contamination, land degradation, and severe health issues. In August 2019, I went to Kathmandu to grasp the reality and see where I can support to improve for one month. Specifically, I worked with local NPO (Volunteer Initiative Nepal) along with an expert from Klarwin (European water purification company/consultancy). This is a report of what I have learned and what I have seen.

During the one month of stay, I mostly worked to raise awareness regarding the waste issue. It started with my own learning; the expert from Klarwin taught me the proper waste management system installed in Europe and also, connecting dots with things I learned in UBC helped my understanding largely. I went to local schools (high schools and elementary schools) and municipalities to have lectures, as well as workshops with the presentation I made.

It was arduous, partial and perhaps not as fruitful as I had in my mind previously. I had to keep in mind that change takes place gradually and needs a lot of patience for cherishing. This is because, despite knowing the cause, the scale and the possible impact of the issue, there is not much I could do except letting people in front of me know the problem.

 

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