I t has been more than one year since the global pandemic shook our country but hygiene is still a distant word in many of our rural streets. From open defecation to unplanned waste disposal, hygiene and sanitation is still perhaps a long way road for our country.

But all that promises to change at least for some of the remote villages in Koraput district in Odisha as Ms. Almas has made it a mission to bring the words ‘hygiene’ and ‘sanitation’ on the lips of every inhabitant here.

“The rural population of our country is still struggling for years to maintain their basic health and hygiene”, she says as she chalks out her plans for least three of the villages to improve their overall practices by inculcating WASH, which simply means Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene. It is the basic mantra for a healthy life.

Almas plans to implement it by promoting the practice of washing hands and reducing/ending open defecation through behavioral change communication.

In her recent meeting with the Block Development Officer (B.D.O.) and Chief District Medical Officer ( C.D.M.O.), the officers showed interest in her project as they envision the same for the communities.

Till now Almas has undertaken various projects like ‘Chuppi Todo’, which simply means ‘Break the silence’. It is a two-day session where women participants have free interactions with her and each other and are encouraged to come out open on issues ranging from menstrual hygiene to safe sanitation, etc. She has even undertaken surveys in her villages to know more about adolescent health, basic health practices, and so on.

She recently held a handwashing awareness session in her villages and has big plans for the future.

Almas Zareen promoting Hygiene and Sanitation amongst Children