THEIR SMILES ARE WORTH MORE THAN MILLIONS

Sugandhi T. Samarasinghe

It was 10 minutes passed 2.00 pm when school kids came hand in hand along the dusty gravel road. Despite scorching sun, pleasant faces were full of laugh as they were chatting happily.

Shanika (Grade 5) told us how pleased she is as they goes to school everyday and receive higher marks for all the subjects. She said all her younger brothers and other friends don’t miss school under any circumstances as they are not suffered with frequent illnesses as before. Being the members of children society had enabled them to follow good hygiene practices and nevertheless the guidance of parents had being an anonymous help.

As Mihiri (grade 11) stated, improved sanitation facilities had persuaded them to follow better hygiene practices.

Chithra (20) who has being an animator since beginning of WES project described how embarrassed and frighten they were at the time they were using old pit latrine that had constructed far away the home. Sanitation community action Plan has being a blessing for children and especially for girls in Chithras’ view.

Whole GND had water sealed latrine facilities and the live fences “Kotu barel” could be seen in most of home gardens which intended solid waste management through composting.

Ariyadasa (43) who was hurrying to the construction site of storage tank was a man big at heart. “This is our project and we are trying hard for the shake of our children. They should not suffer as we did when we were kids and went miles and miles to bring some water to the house hold.” No more tears, but with full of hopes, whole community is working hard for the fulfillment of their action plans.

Really empowered; aren’t they? Kanthi, who has being the secretary of CBO for four years revealed a long but fascinating story on their courage’s journey through various hardships. Being a GND which lies far below the poverty level, Kiulayaya belongs to Siyabalanduwa divisional secretariat division and situated 24 km away from Moneragala town.

Plan – Sri Lanka has come to the village in 2000 and with the initiation of “Samagi” CBO (Registration No Mo/ 373) for the well being of community itself and Plan families the services has being flourished in various aspects. Through small groups and CBO, Plan has given 39 latrines, six bullock carts, supplementary crops and seven common wells to the community. Small credit schemes has launched through CBO and some Agro sprayer kits given to CBO, has well utilized by community. As 165 Plan families were there and benefited through Plan some counteract arguments have emerged from Non-Plan families. But when the services extended up to non Plan families all misgivings have being disappeared with time.

With the intention of providing good quality drinking water Plan Sri Lanka decided to implement water supply projects in some of the areas in the dry zone under WES (Water, Environmental and Sanitation for children) program which focuses on the three integrated components of water supply, environmental sanitation and hygiene education

both in schools and in homes. In Sri Lanka the national policy for rural water supply and

Sanitation sector (2001) advocates the active participation of all stakeholders and decision-making by the communities at all stages of the project cycle.

Plan Sri Lanka together with partners have adopted community based approaches for the provision and management of WES services in the Plan PU areas. Decision making at all stages of the project cycle is rested with the communities with special emphasis on the children’s and women’s participation.

Onset of above approach CBO and children society has organized to take up the challenge and receive the benefits for the community itself.

Including five hamlets as Walahagala, Welankandapitiya, Kiulayaya, Hathaliha wathuyaya and Hiripitiya, Kiulayaya GND consists of 1323 of population which compromised of 387 families and out of total population about 500 are children.

As all families organized as 19 neighboring groups with the cooperation of village action committee (VAC) has initiated their role in WES programme. With five community Action Plans on Sanitation, Hygiene Education, Environmental Conservation, CBO strengthening and water supply, programme implementation was done with the assistance of Plan – Sri Lanka, Technical Partner COSI and Operational Partner LUDC.

Being well empowered community it’s mobilization has hit the targets very well and all four CAPs beside WS CAP has achieved their targets within expected time frames. Despite few draw backs caused by technical reasons, WS CAP is back in it’s tracks and will be completed quite son.

Ukku Bandi and Baby Mahaththaya were mother and son who were handicaps and struggling hard to stay alive among thousands of hardship. Deprived of most of human needs this two never had a latrine and used for open defecation. As they were unable to provide with their contribution problem seems to persist longer. Children society felt the critical situation and discussed what should be done. As they decided to bring one brick by each member it sounded promising and treasure of CBO, Sarath agreed to give the balance which will be needed. CBO contributed labor and within very short period of time Ukku Bandi and Baby Mahaththaya received a latrine.

“We are capable of handling any challenge. Give us the chance.” That’s what they seek at right now.