HELP-O Newsletter May 2023

EDITORIAL

HELP-O is a non-government organisation that works towards improving the social and environmental well-being of communities in Sri Lanka. They focus on a wide range of issues, including waste management, sustainable living, and community development. Their programmes aim to educate and empower local people to take action on environmental and social issues in their communities. The organisation also conducts regular clean-up campaigns and promotes recycling and composting. Additionally, they run training and capacity-building programmes for local youth and women to support their development and provide them with new opportunities. Overall, HELP-O is a dedicated organisation that works to positively impact the environment and the lives of people in Sri Lanka.

T A B L E O F

C O N T E N T S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

3RD STAKEHOLDER FORUM OF COLLABORATIVE ACTION FOR CLEAN CITY GALLE (CACG) PROJECT

TRAINING SESSION ON VIDEO EDITING AS PREPREPARATION FOR THE VIDEO COMPETITION

INTRODUCTORY SESSION ON THE PROGRAM OF CITY - WIDE INCLUSIVE SANITATION

SCHOOL COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION FOR BEACH CLEANUP AT DEWATA COASTAL LINE

INTRODUCING THE E-SABHA MOBILE APP TO OTHER GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS AS A FURTHER STEP

E-SABHA AWARENESS PROGRAM RATHGAMA PRADESHIYA SABHA

MONITORING AND EVALUATION PROGRAMMES OF E-SABHA APPLICATION

E-SABHA APPLICATION SUCCESS STORIES- BOPE PODDALA PRADESHIYA SABHA

NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR PREGNANT MOTHERS

WASTE MANAGEMENT

3RDSTAKEHOLDERFORUMOFCOLLABORATIVEACTION FORCLEANCITYGALLE(CACG)PROJECT

CCBO 3rd Stakeholder Forum was an important event for sharing the findings of the citywide waste assessment survey and waste audit & characterization study The project is funded by USAID CCBO and implemented by HELP-O, with the collaboration of the Galle Municipal Council

During the forum, the survey methodology and examples of the preliminary field visits were presented The survey results, which included household, commercial, service, industrial, and other sectors, provided a comprehensive view of waste generation and disposal patterns in the GMC area. It's also important to note the problems associated with waste segregation, disposal methods, and hazardous waste management.

The Waste Audit and Characterization Study (WACS) appears to be a crucial component of the project's objectives helping to determine the types and amounts of municipal solid waste generated and collected in the GMC area by sector

Developing a database of municipal solid waste types will support future solid waste management decision-making, and collecting waste data will be necessary for creating the Integrated Sustainable Waste Management Action Plan (ISWMAP) for GMC as part of the CACG project.

Lastly, the open discussion provided an opportunity for attendees to ask questions, discuss the presentation, and voice their opinions. Overall, the CACG project seems to be making great strides in promoting sustainable waste management practices in the GMC area

Written By - Lahiru Udumalagala

TRAINING SESSION ON VIDEO EDITING AS PREPREPARATION FOR THE VIDEO COMPETITION

“Making Galle City Plastic Waste Free” is an ongoing project that addresses plastic waste challenges at the global, national, and local levels Jointly led by the Ministry of Environment, Sri Lanka, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), and HELP-O, organized a short video competition that represents a key activity for demonstrating studentled actions to reduce plastic pollution.

The Training Session on Video Editing was held on 11th May 2023, in the Main Auditorium of Vidyaloka College to guide their efforts It was attended by students from three pilot schools, namely Vidyaloka College, Scared Heart Convent & Dangedara Jayawardhana College

Mr A C Bamunusinghe The Provincial Director of Education, participated as the chief guest for this session. He emphasized the significance of such activities and their role in maintaining the newly established plastic waste monitoring CCTV camera system Additionally, the Principal of Vidyaloka College, Mr Prasanna Seneviratne, along with teachers from all three schools, attended the session as participants.

Mr Ravindu Sachintha Bandara Adhikari, the Head of Digital Marketing at Squarecle, conducted the training session. Mr.Lahiru Maduranga, the Project Coordinator of the HELP-O, delivered an introductory speech during the session He explained the aim of organizing the video competition and discussed the competition’s video guidelines. Students actively engage with the program, displaying their enthusiasm.

Written By - Hansi Sadu Tharaka

INTRODUCTORYSESSIONONTHE PROGRAMOFCITY-WIDEINCLUSIVE SANITATION

The session held on May 29th at the Municipal Auditorium of the Galle Municipal Council (GMC) was designed to introduce a new program focused on promoting city-wide inclusive sanitation within the GMC area The target audience for the training included members and laborers of the Solid Waste Management Unit (SWM Unit), which encompassed technical officers, Public Health Inspectors, Development officers, and supervisors.

The initiative, called Promoting City-Wide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS), is a concept that will be established within the Galle Municipal Council Area.

During the session, the participants were actively engaged in discussions, sharing their ideas and experiences regarding current sanitation practices and issues related to sanitation and water in the Galle Municipal Council Area. Mr. Chathura, the Chairman of HELP-O, presented the project activities and provided information on the selected site for conducting activities under this project, specifically the "70 Watta" location

Dr. Pathirage, the Medical Officer of Health at GMC, delivered a presentation on health problems associated with sanitation issues. The program also covered topics such as the existing Heenpandala compost-making process, illegal waste dumping, and health concerns related to sanitation. Overall, the program aimed to enhance the participants' understanding of inclusive sanitation practices and address the existing challenges in the Galle Municipal Council Area

The project is being implemented by HELP-O with funding support from FANSA (Freshwater Action Network South Asia) and coordination from the CEJ (Center for Environmental Justice). The primary objective of the project is to "Rise for Rights for Strengthening Civil Society Network in South Asia to achieve Clean Water & Sanitation (SDG 6)

SCHOOLCOMMUNITYPARTICIPATION FORBEACHCLEANUPATDEWATA COASTALLINE

Litterortrashthatfindsitswaytothe ocean,alsoknownasmarinedebris,has become a big problem along our coastlines and in oceans around the world. As a tourist destination, Galle Cityanditssurroundingareasaremore important to keep an environmentfriendly manner. It is important to actively engage all the stakeholders, and the school community can be considered one of the most important stakeholders

The beach cleanup activity was conducted by Vidyaloka College, in collaboration with HELP-O, in May 2023 along the Dewata Coastal Line. Around 25 students and school teachers participated in the event, demonstrating a sense of environmental responsibility among the students During the beach cleanup activity, the students diligently picked up litter and trash from the shoreline, including plastic bottles, food wrappers, and other debris.

Theyseparatedthecollectedwasteinto different categories to facilitate recycling and proper disposal By actively engaging in this cleanup, the students gained a deeper understanding of the importance of waste management and its role in preserving the environment. This experienceservedasavaluablelesson forthestudents,highlightingtheneed forresponsiblewastemanagementand theimportanceofindividualactionsin preserving the health of our ecosystems.

Itprovidedthemwithanopportunityto serve their community and make a positiveimpactontheenvironment By actively engaging in such activities, students become more aware of the challengesposedbymarinedebrisand aremotivatedtotakefurtheractionto protectouroceansandcoastlines.

Written By - Hansi Sadu Tharaka

L O C A L G O V E R E N A N C E

INTRODUCING THE E-SABHA MOBILE APP TO OTHER GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS AS A FURTHER STEP

The E-Sabha Mobile App, introduced under the Right to Voice project, needs to be popularized among city dwellers This application allows them to connect with their respective local authorities and receive better services Accordingly, an awareness program was held on May 17th, 2023, at the Mahamodara Hospital to introduce the E-Sabha mobile app to the staff of the hospital The Director, Deputy Director, Administrative Officers, and other In-charge Officers of the hospital participated in this program

Mr Chathura Welivitiya, Chairman of HELP-O, delivered an introductory speech where he introduced the ESabha application to the hospital staff. During his speech, he emphasized the significance of the App for government officers who may not have enough time to go to physically lodge complaints at local authorities. Especially, the hospital staff are engaged in critical jobs where their time is crucial for patient care Therefore, he highlighted how they can use this app seamlessly during their work without any disruption to their services

Mr Lahiru Maduranga, the Project Coordinator of ‘The Right to Voice Project’ conducted a demo of the application and introduced the staff to the downloading method and operation procedures He mentioned that this method has been approved by the 10 Councils in the Galle district Complainants can attach three photos, location, address, and description for their complaint using the E-Sabha application, which serves as a digital complaining system The hospital staff highly appreciated this program as they received clarifications for their questions related to the operationalizing of the app

Written By - Lahiru Udumalagala

E-SABHAAWARENESSPROGRAM RATHGAMAPRADESHIYASABHA

Rathgama Pradeshiya Sabha to organize an awareness program on the e Sabha app at a school It's wonderful that they introduced the app to the students and teachers and conducted a training program for them. By involving youth and school students, they ensured that the future generation is aware of and familiar with this important application

During the training program, the students asked various questions related to the complaint process of the e Sabha app This shows their interest and engagement with the application. Additionally, they also provided suggestions for new developments to make the app more customer-friendly. It's commendable that the students actively participated in the program and shared their feedback and ideas

To further promote the e Sabha app, the staff of Rathgama Pradeshiya Sabha distributed awareness leaflets and posters to the students. This is an effective way to inform and remind the students about the app and its benefits. Furthermore, the staff also introduced advertising methods to improve the popularity of the application These methods could include digital marketing, social media campaigns, local advertisements, or any other suitable means to reach a wider audience.

Overall, this awareness program organized by Rathgama Pradeshiya Sabha seems to have been wellstructured and productive in introducing the e Sabha app to school students and teachers. By involving the youth, addressing their queries, and considering their suggestions, the Sabha aims to make the app more user-friendly and effective

The distribution of awareness material and the introduction of advertising methods will likely contribute to increasing the popularity and usage of the e Sabha app in the community.

Written By - Lahiru Udumalagala

MONITORING AND EVALUATION PROGRAMMES OF E-SABHA APPLICATION

Monitoring and Evaluation programmes of e-sabha application were organized at Hikkaduwa urban council and Baddegama Pradeshiya Sabha by the Department of Local Government on 19th of May, 2023. The Commissioner of the Local Government Department, Mr. Ranil Wikaramasekara did a resource person speech at this program. Progress of the E-Sabha application, Complaint Statistics, and other technical issues were solved and discussed at this meeting. Secretaries of the Local governments and the staff participated in this program.

HELP-O Chairman, Mr. Chathura Welivitiya explained the methodologies of advertising of esabha application. Printed leaflets and posters were distributed to the local government authority.

Baddegama Pradeshiya Sabha has planned to add a column for the e-sabha app to their letterheads. Also, already, they had started training sessions for communities on the e-sabha application. Hikkaduwa Urban Council awareness programs were organized by the UC staff.

Written By - Lahiru Udumalagala

E-SABHAAPPLICATIONSUCCESSSTORIESBOPEPODDALAPRADESHIYASABHA

Mr. Ranjith Dharamsiri is the Citizen of Bope Poddala Pradeshiya Sabha, one of the Galle district's most populated local government areas. Also, Bope Poddala LA is located near the Galle Municipal Council. Mr. Ranjith Dharmasiri has positive success stories about Ethe -Sabha application with Bope Poddala Pradeshiya Sabha. He had sent three complaints to Bope Poddala LA and all the complaints were solved by the LA. So, he is very happy about their service and E-Sabha Application. His Explanation about that incident is as follows.

‘’I sent three complaints to the Bope Poddala LA, via E-Sabha Application I received a message from LA within a few hours for these three complaints. Also, they gave positive action for all these complaints and solved all the issues within few days Previously I sent these complaints to another responsible entity. But I could not get a positive result from them So, I think E-Sabha is a very successful method of sending complaints. ‘’

Mr. Ranjith Dharmasiri- Former Deputy Director of Industrial Development Board, Ministry of Industry, Sri Lanka, Visiting lecturer of the Open University of Sri Lanka.

Bope Poddala LA

COMPLAINTSREDRESSALPROCESSTHROUGH E-SABHAAPP

NUTRITIONPROGRAMFOR PREGNANTMOTHERS

MAHAMODARAHOSPITAL

Mahamodara Teaching Hospital is a prominent medical facility located in Galle, Sri Lanka's Southern Province. With approximately 400 beds, it serves as a vital healthcare center, particularly focusing on maternal and child health. As the only maternity teaching hospital in the region, it acts as a frame of reference for specialized care in this field.

Originally established to alleviate overcrowding in the existing Mahamodara Hospital, the facility underwent expansions to accommodate the evolving needs of medical education and patient care, particularly after Karapitiya Hospital was upgraded to a Teaching Hospital. Mahamodara Teaching Hospital plays a crucial role in providing comprehensive maternal and neonatal care and actively participates in training medical professionals to ensure the delivery of highquality healthcare services. Additionally, the hospital engages in research studies related to healthcare, contributing to the advancement of medical knowledge and improving the quality of care provided.

In conclusion, Mahamodara Teaching Hospital in Galle, Sri Lanka, is a significant medical institution specializing in maternal and child health. With its extensive facilities and role as a teaching hospital, it offers essential healthcare services, and training programs, and contributes to medical research The hospital serves as a center of excellence for maternal and child health in the southern region of Sri Lanka, providing comprehensive care and actively participating in the training and education of medical professionals

Due to the present economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the government was unable to allocate sufficient funds to the healthcare sector. Therefore, the hospital finds it difficult to provide nutrition-rich meals for the in-house patients. To address this issue under the Coordination of FIAN Sri Lanka, HELP-O was able to formulate a multistakeholder community mechanism and working group to provide breakfast for mothers.

This program to increase the nutritional levels at Mahmodara Hospital has been successful and has received a positive response from the community. It's wonderful that the number of mothers taking advantage of the food provided by the hospital has increased significantly.

By providing nutritious meals to mothers, the hospital not only improves the health and well-being of the mothers but also saves money in the process. This is a winwin situation where both the hospital and the community benefit. The fact that the community is willing to provide dry food for the hospital shows their support and commitment to the program.

It's commendable that the program has been extended beyond April and May By allocating specific days for people to provide food, the program ensures a sustained supply of meals for mothers in need This continuous support will further contribute to the overall success of the program and help maintain a high level of participation from mothers.

Also, the working group has identified the importance of providing sustainable nutrition-rich feedings for mothers with new borne babies to reduce nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, with the help of sponsors working group started to providing dray rational food pack for most needed mothers for the six months This initiative ensures that mothers receive not only immediate nutrition but also have resources to sustain their nutritional needs in the long run

Overall, the combined efforts of the hospital and the community in implementing these programs demonstrate a strong commitment to improving the nutritional well-being of mothers. It's an excellent example of how collaborative efforts can make a substantial positive impact on the health of the community.

To recognize and apricated those who already provide excellent contributions to this program Hospital conducted an event at 2023.03.11 in Mohamodara Hospital. This event was chaired by the director of the hospital and deputy directors, chairman of the hospital committee, other hospital officials, Lions club members, chamber of Galle Chamber of Commerce members, other respective donors, and HELP-O staff was there

At this event Dr. Sumith Manathunga, director of the hospital apricate the valuable contributions of the donors and also, showed statistical information about the low birth rate and future social and economic impacts of this and how this program contributes to the burdens of the mother as well as the whole family.

Nutrition specialist Dr Thilini Athukorala presented the importance of perpregnancy health and nutrition of the mother as well as pregnancy and postdelivering nutrition requirements for child wellbeing

Also, the director and working group appreciate Mr. Saman Athukorala's contribution and donation of a needed refrigerator for the hospital

Mr. Saman Athukorala, who is a valuable contributor to the program informed about the long tram dry rational pack providing program and everyone apricates his valuable contribution for sustain this program.

Chairman of the Hospital committee and HELP-O Lion Chathura Welivitiya apricate all the donor’s valuable contributions and provided the direction for the future sustainability of this program.

Written By - Buddhika Somaratne