Awareness workshop on domestic Waste Management & Hygiene Practices

Venue: Ranipura slum, Gwalior, M.P.
(October 11, 2012)

Health is the biggest asset in anyone’s life. Hygienic practices are the foremost necessity to maintain healthy regime. General health can be maintained just by careful usage of resources and health conscious behavior in day to day practices.

SETU organised a workshop to create awareness about domestic Waste Management and Hygiene Practices for the inhabitants of Ranipura slum, Gwalior. Special emphasis was laid on cleaning of water for safe drinking purposes as well as of surroundings. Volunteer students & faculty of MBA from Maharana Pratap College of Technology (MPCT) actively contributed in organising & carrying out the campaign.


The awareness programme was an initiative towards enlightening the uneducated masses to avoid falling prey to diseases by following simple steps towards hygiene. The team discussed different prospects of family health and hygiene with the women & children present there. They were made aware about-

•    Proper disposal methods of different types of domestic wastes.
•    Cleaning & proper storage of water for different purposes on domestic level.
•    Different aspects of a woman’s contribution towards improving & maintaining her family health condition.
•    Prevention and cure of common diseases like diarrhoea, malaria, malnutrition etc., by maintaining personal hygiene.
•    Essential nutritional amounts needed for a balanced diet. The importance of Iron for the health of women and girls was told.
•    Importance of vaccination for pregnant women during pregnancy.
•    Necessity of vaccination for children.

Various simple & economical methods of cleaning water were discussed. For e.g., using commonly available alum, filtering, boiling etc. One should be careful that there should not be any pits filled with water near the houses. If they find any stagnant water, spreading a thin layer of kerosene oil over it can kill mosquito larva. This can effectively reduce mosquitoes and thus lessen the chances of spreading diseases. Also, emphasis was laid on keeping all water bodies clean & dry where possible.

Awareness was created on different types of wastes generated, their segregation and proper disposal of organic/biodegradable & inorganic wastes.

The workshop involved a couple of engaging activities to increase the interaction & involvement of the participants. For e.g.  there were 5 minute competitions that taught children and women about proper disposal of organic and inorganic waste. They were asked questions on different hygienic practices they follow in general. Children were told the importance of keeping their nails clean and small, brushing teeth; & how important it is to wash hands before eating food.

Winners of the competitions were awarded Cleaning Tool kits. Toffees, biscuits and balloons were distributed to motivate the kids.

About 55 families participated in the above workshop.