LOCAL NEWS – 11.02.11 - By Zacheaus Otaba - The wash programme workshop enters its second day today

The wash programme training that has been going on at St. Augustine's conference hall, completed its second day today. The district education officer for Turkana central, Mrs Patricia Ekadeli, who was the coordinator of the programme challenged the participants that all the activities on wash in schools will be monitored to ensure that they are implemented.
However she called for immediate implementation in order to reduce the risk of accumulation of activities, that may over throw this important activity. The officer warned the head teachers whose schools will not act immediately, that they may face demotion, because it is a total show that they cannot perform hence they need to be replaced by the active ones.
At the same time, the district public health officer for Turkana central, Mr. Innocent Sifuna challenged the teachers to involve pupils in the implementation of these projects. He said that this will motivate them more, and give room for them to contribute on the new developments. He said that the pride of the pupils will be noticed when they will be allowed to participate as part of the stake holders.
He urged the participants to give more input on their action plans as they implement their plans. The meeting is expected to end tomorrow with a race which will be a demonstration on how to trigger the project in the grass roots.

LOCAL NEWS – 09.10.10 - By Zacheaus Otaba -WASH PROGRAMME CLOSES ITS ACTIVE SESSIONS

The wash program which has been going on at Ann Nanjala Resource Center has closed down its active sessions today.
Closing it officially, the chief Wash Section UNICEF Kenya, Mr. Mohamed El-Fatih said that the workshop will be continuing though not actively, up to Monday in the morning when they will be able to get comprehensive results.
He urged he departmental heads to ensure that there are no outstanding balances in their accounts, since UNICEF will not approve the next budget if you didn't exhaust the funds in the last financial year.
He said that there was need to form committees to coordinate the activities in the region on how the projects are being run.
He added that they are fighting to get other partners that will help UNICEF in running its activities in Turkana, since there is a lot to be done that needs much input.
However the chief said that, on behalf of UNICEF he is going to provide one water pump for each district in the large Turkana, that will help in the areas that are so critical.
He highlighted that there will be a team of 4 volunteers from various universities, that will be sent to the region to carry out and give perfect work.
The workshop which was divided into three groups based on; wash education in schools, water supply and sanitation are supposed to hand over their report and a comprehensive proposal budget to the UNICEF and government of Kenya committee which had been sent to facilitate the workshop. The committee was led by chief Mohamed El-Fatih.