Aug 19, 2022
ISAP and ピースウィンズ・ジャパン Peace Winds Japan jointly handed over the three water supply schemes in Balefi Rural Municipality in an Inauguration and Handover Ceremony conducted on 15th August, 2022 which was chaired by Chairperson of Balefi Rural Municipality, Mr. Ganga Bahadur Tamang. This event also saw the presence of Ward Chairpersons from Ward-04 and 06, Water User Committee representatives as well as beneficiaries from three water supply schemes namely, Baserikhola Acharya Tole Water Supply Scheme, Jamune Khola Dhad Water Supply Scheme, and Damaikhola Keurinidada Water Supply Scheme, along with other project stakeholders. These three schemes are the part of Project for Improving Water Access and Agriculture Income (PIWAAI), funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, and jointly implemented by ISAP and PWJ.
The project has provided “ek ghar ek dhara” (one house one tap) to 23 households in Dhad, 21 households in Acharya tole and 15 households in Keurinidada. PIWAAI also has enhanced the capacity of the WUC members and 2 members from each WUC as Repair and Maintenance Workers. The handover ceremony was celebrated with much joy by the beneficiaries. “I hope to see the infrastructures in same condition when I come visit after 20 years. I hope that your grandchildren and their grandchildren can drink water from the same taps built by the project,” said Er. Basanta Pradhan, Technical Advisor of ISAP.
As the representatives from the local government expressed their gratitude towards the organization, they also urged the local community to be mindful about valuing the structures built and the path it has paved towards enriching their livelihoods. Mr. Tej Bahadur Parajuli, Balefi ward number 6 chairperson said that “Access of clean water is not only a basic need of mankind, but a necessity to sustain, all forms of life in the world. Our daily lives revolve around water, and now that each house has an easy access to safe drinking water, it has particularly saved women’s time. Now, women can utilize the saved time in engaging in income generating activities.
PWJ’s Community Development Expert, Ms. Nana Yamaguchi expressed how the assistance of the Japanese government and people to prioritize the development of basic facility such as drinking water contributes to strengthen the friendly ties between the two countries. On behalf of the Balefi Rural Municipality, Mr. Ganga Bahadur Tamang assured the community to provide any support required in the future. The beneficiaries and the local government together proclaimed their commitment to preserve the structures to ensure sustainability.
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