Yes, Nepal faces a high burden of waterborne diseases, especially in urban and underserved communities.
This silent crisis affects thousands of lives each year—especially children, the elderly, and those living in informal settlements. At Console Mission, we believe that access to clean water is a human right, not a privilege.

🚱 Why Is the Burden So High?

Nepal’s geography and infrastructure challenges make water safety a complex issue. Here are the key contributors:

• Polluted rivers and water sources: Rapid urbanization and poor waste management have severely contaminated rivers like the Bagmati. These waters are still used for bathing, washing, and even drinking in low-income areas.
• Limited access to safe water: Many rural and peri-urban communities rely on untreated sources, increasing exposure to harmful pathogens.
• Inadequate sanitation infrastructure: Open defecation and poor sewage systems continue to fuel the spread of waterborne illnesses.

🦠 What Diseases Are We Talking About?

Waterborne diseases are not just inconvenient—they’re deadly. The most common include:

• Diarrheal diseases: A leading cause of child mortality in Nepal.
• Cholera and typhoid: Outbreaks spike during monsoon seasons.
• Hepatitis A and E: Often linked to contaminated water and poor hygiene practices.

📊 The Human Cost

According to the World Health Organization and national health reports:

• Waterborne diseases contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in Nepal.
• Diarrheal diseases are among the top killers of children under five.
• The Global Burden of Disease 2019 study confirms that water-related illnesses remain a persistent challenge for Nepal’s health system.

🧼 What Needs to Be Done?

This data reinforces the urgency of:

• Scaling up chlorination and water purification programs
• Investing in sanitation infrastructure
• Empowering communities through education and hygiene awareness

At Console Mission, we are committed to turning data into action. Whether through youth-led campaigns, donor-supported interventions, or grassroots mobilization, we aim to build a future where clean water is accessible to all.

Water borne diseases are Key facts:

1. Schistosomiasis (Snail Fever) – Estimated global prevalence: 200-600 million
2. Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm Infection) – Estimated global prevalence: over 500, near eradication

Key facts:

Schistosmiasis

• Schistosomiasis is a chronic disease caused by parasitic worms.
• At least 243 million people required treatment for schistosomiasis in 2011.
• The number of people reported to have been treated for schistosomiasis in 2011 was 28.1 million.
• People are at risk of infection due to agricultural, domestic and recreational activities which expose them to infested water.
• Lack of hygiene and play habits make children especially vulnerable to infection.
• Clean drinking water, adequate sanitation and hygiene education would reduce infective water contact and the contamination of water sources.
• Schistosomiasis control focuses on reducing disease through periodic, large-scale population treatment with praziquantel.

Dracunculiasis

• Dracunculiasis is a crippling parasitic disease on verge of eradication, with only 542 cases reported in 2012.
• The disease is transmitted exclusively when people who have little or no access to safe-drinking water supply swallow water contaminated with parasite-infected water-fleas (cyclops).
• Of the 20 countries that were endemic in the mid 1980s, only 4 (all on the African continent) reported cases in 2012.
• Most cases (96%) occured in South Sudan.
• From the time infection occurs, it takes between 10-14 months for the cycle to complete until a mature worm emerges from the body. (http://www.who.int)

​

✨ “Listening Locally, Acting Practically: What Works to Keep Children in School”
(Grounded, actionable, and community-centric)

In our journey supporting community-led education in Nepal, Console Mission has come to a powerful realisation: school dropouts don’t stem from a single cause—and they can’t be solved with a single fix. Instead, we’ve learned to recognize multiple root issues, each needing tailored, compassionate responses:

• 🌧️ Environmental barriers: Landslides and floods regularly isolate villages, disrupting education access. We’ve responded by promoting decentralized, resilient learning spaces like Our Study Place.
• 💻 Digital exclusion: Lack of internet access and digital tools often pushes students out of the learning ecosystem. By expanding rural connectivity, we’re creating more inclusive learning environments.
• 🛡️ Safeguarding gaps: Students face risks of exploitation, abuse, and neglect. Through safeguarding training and policy implementation, we empower communities to protect their children.
• 🏡 Household challenges: Economic hardship, domestic pressures, and gender bias particularly impact girls. We advocate for holistic support—educational, emotional, and economic—to keep learners safe and motivated.
• 🎒 Psychosocial needs: Trauma, stigma, and lack of peer support often lead to quiet disengagement. We emphasize joyful, community-led spaces where students feel seen and valued.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution—but by listening deeply and iterating locally, we’ve seen students return, re-engage, and reimagine their futures.

Dilasha Aviyan, also known as Console Mission, is dedicated to addressing barriers that prevent children—especially adolescent girls—from continuing their education. The organization focuses on socially and geographically disadvantaged communities, particularly in rural areas where cultural and economic limitations often hinder girls’ opportunities.

Demographic of Girls Supported

Console Mission primarily supports girls from marginalized backgrounds, including those affected by poverty, early marriage, and limited access to education. Many of these girls come from rural communities where traditional gender norms restrict their ability to pursue education and personal development.

Goals and Outcomes of Programs

The organization aims to:

• Increase educational access by providing coaching classes and resources.
• Empower girls through sports to boost confidence and leadership skills.
• Address social barriers such as child marriage and gender discrimination.
• Promote self-reliance by equipping girls with skills for economic independence.

Data Supporting the Importance of Focusing on Girls

Investing in girls’ education has significant economic and social benefits:

• If all girls completed secondary education, countries could gain between $15-$30 trillion in lifetime productivity and earnings.
• Every $1 spent on girls’ education generates a $2.80 return, boosting GDP in developing nations.

Personal Experiences and Stories

One example from Console Mission is Rabina, a teen mother who had to leave school due to family circumstances. Her story highlights the challenges many girls face when societal expectations force them into early marriage instead of education.

Resources Needed for Stakeholder Buy-In

To strengthen advocacy efforts, Console Mission could benefit from:

• More comprehensive data on the long-term impact of its programs.
• Partnerships with global organizations to amplify its reach.
• Financial support to expand initiatives like sports programs and skill training.

1. consolemission.org – story of Rabina
2. https://youtu.be/SdygAmBN5_8?si=ddutM10BvND1Y7jD

Console Mission has observed that girls in rural areas, after reaching puberty, often wait two to four years following the trend of attending school until grade twelve before getting married. During this period, they are typically focused on finding a husband, either through social sites, attending wedding celebrations, or visiting relatives. Consequently, their training and studies often seem futile as they do not look beyond getting married.

A girl who completes grade ten and plans to stay in her village to continue grade eleven is a hope that she will associate with Console Mission (CoMi), allowing us to carry on the volunteer task of running a community learning center. After more than a year of training and monthly financial support, we expect they will continue, but it is likely they will get married. Recently, a sixteen-year-old girl named Sumitra, completed grade ten, attending a community learning center that is called Our Study Place in a rural area. CoMi found a scholarship for her, and we were her continue volunteering as pursued grade eleven. However, instead of getting married, she left her village and went to an area for work she gets paid. For a girl like her, the scholarship fund, volunteer financial support, opportunity to interact with other children in an academic setting is better opportunity than what she is doing now. When executive heard that receiving a scholarship Sumitra was willing to continue grade eleven as planned she was for a reason and said that her parents wanted her to earn money. However contacting her, we found was Sumitra who did want to continue. her parents are not academically qualified they understand the importance of. Similarly, girls like her become lazy and that getting married is a idea. If not in the village or somewhere else they will eventually someone after moving., they want freedom and do not want to give their a hard time. The reason is that they have not learned the importance of their and responsibility to society and the world. Mostly, lack of guidance from an age at home and contributes to this issue (this is based on what is in newspapers and what people; further research is needed).

Or, we may doubt :

1. A girl of such age may fear physical or sexual abuse, or being forced to marry someone she does not like, or an older person trying to marry her.
2. Alternatively, there are other causes such as human trafficking.

However, certain kinds of fears and the presence of an unfriendly environment must be putting teenage girls in such situations that they make decisions that give them a feeling of independence. Yes, there are consequences and both physical and psychological challenges that will surely come sooner or later. But at that age, especially in a rural area they are not only going to school after a long walk, but they are the soul of the house, taking care livestock, carrying grass from jungles and woods, and working in the field. Still that is not sufficient; girls and children must give everything they can for their house their parents.

Not only Miss Sumitra but also Miss Dolma, who was waiting for her grade twelve results (September 2024) and was a scholarship student of CoMi, got married after working as a monthly paid staff for four months. She four younger sisters, and her father was still hoping for a son. At the age of, she got married through social media and mobile phone communication. Co believed she had developed the to further her academic qualifications The financial support from CoMi was a great help for her to pay her rent and tuition fees. This is why CoMi is working on a project called Self-Managed Home, which has been successful from 2018 to 2023, helping a dozen girls directly by providing a place to live during their and interacting with those from rural areas studying in settings. Away from home different environments are often exploited, but some take such opportunities to grow and develop their careers.

Role of mother:

A mother figure can be anyone connected to us, such as relatives, neighbors, or teachers. Therefore, in the larger discourse on #genderequality, it is crucial that the future generation receives essential guidance to help them overcome fear. It is important for girls to look forward to a better and sustainable society. Otherwise, we may face similar setbacks as seen when CoMi, despite working in academic excellence, encountered the events of Sumitra and Dolma.

Global Handwashing Partnership is asking “Why are clean hands still important?” विश्वव्यापी हात धुने साझेदारीले सोधिरहेको छ “किन सफा हातहरू अझै महत्त्वपूर्ण छन्?”

A “why” question is used to inquire about the cause, reason, or purpose of something. It seeks to uncover the underlying motivations, intentions, or logic behind a particular situation or behavior. For example, asking “Why did you choose this project?” aims to understand the reasons behind the decision. कुनै कुराको कारण, कारण वा उद्देश्यको बारेमा सोधपुछ गर्न “किन” प्रश्न प्रयोग गरिन्छ।यसले कुनै विशेष परिस्थिति वा व्यवहारको पछाडि अन्तर्निहित प्रेरणा, मनसाय वा तर्कलाई उजागर गर्न खोज्छ। उदाहरणका लागि, “तपाईंले यो परियोजना किन रोज्नुभयो?” निर्णयको पछाडि कारणहरू बुझ्ने लक्ष्य राख्छ।

“Why” questions are essential because they promote critical thinking, curiosity, and problem-solving. They help build connections, foster meaningful conversations, and gain deeper insights into various topics. “किन” प्रश्नहरू आवश्यक छन् किनभने तिनीहरूले आलोचनात्मक सोच, जिज्ञासा र समस्या समाधानलाई बढावा दिन्छ।तिनीहरूले जडानहरू निर्माण गर्न, अर्थपूर्ण वार्तालापहरूलाई प्रोत्साहन गर्न र विभिन्न शीर्षकहरूमा गहिरो अन्तरदृष्टि प्राप्त गर्न मद्दत गर्छन्।

Clean hands remain a fundamental defense against the spread of infections, illnesses, and harmful germs. Whether in hospitals, schools, or everyday interactions, practicing handwashing with soap contributes to better health outcomes and a safer world for everyone. As the world shifts beyond these recent years, we are asking a critical question, Why are clean hands still important? The answer lies in our collective responsibility to safeguard public health, prevent infections, and promote wellbeing. सफा हातहरू संक्रमण, रोगहरू र हानिकारक कीटाणुहरूको फैलावट विरुद्धको आधारभूत सुरक्षा हो। अस्पताल, विद्यालय वा दैनिक अन्तरक्रियामा, साबुन पानीले हात धुने अभ्यासले राम्रो स्वास्थ्य परिणाम र सबैका लागि सुरक्षित संसारमा योगदान पुर्‍याउँछ। हालैका वर्षहरूमा संसार परिवर्तन हुँदै जाँदा, हामी एउटा महत्वपूर्ण प्रश्न सोधिरहेका छौं, किन सफा हातहरू अझै महत्त्वपूर्ण छन्? जवाफ सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्यको सुरक्षा, संक्रमण रोक्न, र कल्याण प्रवर्द्धन गर्ने हाम्रो सामूहिक जिम्मेवारीमा निहित छ।

The main idea is to see the GCB-NGOs to be a possible agent for change.

Definition: Cottage industries and GCB-NGOs share similarities in their (1.) localized focus, (2.) community-driven initiatives, and (3.) their role in empowering local populations by addressing specific needs and fostering economic and social development.

Consequently, Console Mission Nepal (CoMiNp), building upon its past methodologies and enhancing its operational approaches, has seen a gradual but noticeable impact over the last five years, including the period of the pandemic starting from 2018. The community, encompassing children, parents, local authorities, and school teachers, has been responsive to CoMiNp’s initiatives. These initiatives primarily support girls in pursuing their formal education, serving as a preventive measure against unforeseen calamities such as human trafficking.

This article draws on experiences from interactions at five Health Posts in the rural and urban areas of Nepal.

Health Posts are a public health service provided by the Ministry of Health, available not just in rural areas but also in urban settings. Each Health Post features Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs). The paid staff, led by either a staff nurse or a Health Assistant, are in charge. The actual staffing may vary from the official records, reflecting the reality on the ground. Nurses who began their training after completing the eighth grade can be found, and historically, individuals with only primary education have held positions in government offices. In 2018, at a Health Post located approximately two hours from Dilasha Aviyan in the same district, the in-charge was a female staff nurse with a three-year course and a proficiency certificate. There were also Auxiliary Nursing Midwifery (ANM) staff, helpers, and interns from public health colleges. Political dynamics influence not only Health Posts but all sectors, with changes in ministers potentially leading to significant shifts in human resources. Consequently, employees in health, education, and other sectors are often more concerned about these changes than service delivery. The current scenario indicates that the intended management systems, human resource management, and service delivery have not been effectively executed. Since 2017, DiAv has noted that the services offered by Health Posts, particularly disease prevention for Soil-Transmitted Diseases (STH) in rural regions, along with psychosocial training for urban health volunteers, might be exactly what is necessary. And, it is clear that Health Posts are in need of support from NGOs. DiAv’s associates have observed the effectiveness of Health Posts, especially in disease prevention. However, over the past decade, issues have arisen that compromise the efficacy of public services. Consequently, beneficiaries and service recipients bear significant responsibility for addressing their needs. Although local governments and ward offices are not immune to political influence, it appears to have a lesser impact. Despite capacity challenges, it is essential for people to voice their concerns, and NGOs must play a pivotal role.

NGOs are composed of academically qualified and experienced individuals, recruited based on their competencies. Additionally, NGOs have the capacity to identify and cultivate potential human resources within the community.

On one occasion, Dilasha Aviyan conducted a survey. A question that garnered the attention of the locals was “What is your first preference for a health checkup?” The prevalent answer was visiting an urban hospital. Despite Health Posts being in existence for over three decades, they have not improved as expected. Consequently, DiAv’s principle is to introduce innovative ideas that operate independently of the government system and are unaffected by political fluctuations.

Each ward possesses Health Posts staffed by female volunteers without medical backgrounds. DiAv has embarked on enhancing their capabilities, rapidly transitioning from providing health and management training to supporting elderly care homes and the community, particularly the female volunteers. This effort is bolstered by the involvement of the youth, which promises to be effective in multiple ways.

1. 1. Volunteers will receive assistance since understanding medical terminology requires literacy, such as knowing the expiry date of medications.
   2. Young volunteers, students from grade 8 and above who are currently enrolled in school, will comprehend the health situation. It is possible, drawing from DiAv’s experiences, that these students will persist with their education. However, there is uncertainty as children may discontinue schooling at any time, especially in rural and remote urban communities where government and NGO presence is minimal. Additionally, political instability is adversely affecting people across Nepal.

The OSP served as a hands-on laboratory for interns and also provided benefits to the village community. A health checkup program was held in two separate villages on the recent Saturday, June 22, 2024.

When student volunteers discovered the licensing requirements for teachers, their volunteering approach changed. They were surprised to learn that their teachers were licensed. These volunteers, from grades 8, 9, and 10, were emulating teachers by using red pens and even mimicking disciplinary methods such as using a stick, a practice observed from teachers (explaining more about child safeguarding will be another topic). A safeguarding policy was introduced to address this. The expectation of the Console Mission (CoMi) is that by volunteering in peer group studies, the students’ knowledge and focus on their own studies would improve. This expectation was met, and CoMi anticipated that even without external help, the volunteers would excel if they made an extra effort and concentrated. The Our Study Place (OSP) has been a proven project and is now considered an initiative by CoMi.

OSP is making a significant impact, and it’s surprising to see how effectively children can learn without a tutor. There are essential features and characteristics of OSP that facilitate this.

OSP was a test project initiated with financial support and participation from the locals of Nayagaon village in Nepal. (2018 – 2023)

The OSP’s impact was presented to the chairpersons of 18 wards and 3 municipalities on June 11, 2023. They received a booklet to aid in OSP’s implementation during an interaction program. However, the interaction proved to be insufficient. The ward representatives, chosen for their educational qualifications, inquired about salaries, and it was explained that OSP requires collaboration between the local government and CoMi. To set a precedent, CoMi has initiated OSP in two villages, Chaughare and Ghurdum, which are among the 18 wards. The goal is to expand to the remaining 16 wards within the next three years. These 18 wards encompass over 540 villages, with a population of more than 3410 children under the age of 18, and a total of 6820 households according to the Nepal Census of 2021.

Another feature of OSP is its simplicity to start; for instance, an 11th-grade student began an OSP initiative after a brief 15-minute introduction to its educational significance.

• The OSP initiative is designed to support both students and teachers. In Nepal, the weather and natural disasters pose significant challenges, particularly in the mountainous, hilly, and plain regions. Teachers often face inconsistent travel times to their workplaces. During the monsoon season, landslides can disrupt travel, compounded by limited transportation options and frequently poor road conditions.
• In socially and geographically disadvantaged communities, parents often lack the time to spend with their children, struggle to create suitable learning environments, and their own level of education can impact their ability to assist their children’s learning.

An environment for less privileged children for learning at home

“Learning is not attained on chance; it must be sought for with ardor and diligence.”

Abigail Adams

After this teenage boy from the far and village areas of Lalitpur, he got help planning to manage his time. He followed it. And when he revisited on February 15, 2021, though he failed he was continuing in class 9 that happened after his previous visit. He was told to ask his school about the situation that he was facing, taking care of livestock and even cooking food. As his elder sister was studying living at Console Mission’s SMH, he was helping his father. Her mother was not with them. And he also had a younger brother. For more encouragement, he was handed educational materials. Now he has completed his school. But he is facing another challenge.

Video:

Console Mission (CoMi) is an NGO started following the rules and regulations of the firm registration process. And it is in the hub city of the country. In 2010 the existing similar nature firms were active mostly outside having their head office here in the Lalitpur district and other parts of the Kathmandu valley. Project were geographically outside but when CoMi organised its first hygiene awareness event in 2014, a public awareness on handwashing, it was surprised to find out “the people living in the valley were unknown about how the world has been giving priority for handwashing as the basic but base of personal hygiene”.

console mission – The Global Handwashing Partnership

The Global Handwashing Partnership (GHP)

Now since then and before that people abandoned in the street were rescued and managed at the shelter homes appropriate for them, according to their need and also the availability of place. A random street visit was done every end of the week. And it was figured out that those seen in the street in desperate situations but not fake. Then quickly rescued, following the suggestion of an organisation called Koshish Nepal, mostly girls and women are physically vulnerable. And such cases were quickly rescued. To do that, the Police Authority, Hospitals and the Shelter Home’s volunteers and staff promptly supported. CoMi become an agent to find and encourage or console for quickly rescue.

Hence, becoming a publicly known as “Dilasha”, as a visitor or who concerned the work of CoMi, you become someone welcomed in Nepal. And treated as you expect. However public event, in the valley is stopped, moving to the rural and in the needed communities in urban, CoMi is experiencing the need to re-start.”The value of handwashing was recognised during the pandemic”. And now CoMi is champion in hand hygiene. The problem is the proper way of handwashing and the question over developing habits. Since lack of practical teaching that could be the factor that the link between the progress of habit and when that must be learned did not happen. It is important at our OSP, children learn it.

Please support us directly:

Scanning QR code:

Bank details: <Name of Bank> Sanima Bank Limited <Account Name> Dilasha Aviyan <Account Number> 014010020000011 <SWIFT> SNMANPKA  <Bank Address> Satdobato, Lalitpur-15, Lalitpur, Nepal

or if you would like to donate at crowdfunding, here is our link:

https://www.globalgiving.org/donate/35960/console-mission/