Ward No. 6, Gorkha Municipality

Gorkha District

After the nationwide lockdown was announced, uncertainty loomed large. As the COVID-19 pandemic peaked, migrant workers became more desperate to return home and similar was the level of desperation among the people of Gorkha District. Gorkha’s Aarughat Bus Park located at Haramtari saw a huge number of people just like around Dashain Festival. Every day, at least, 500 people arrived in Gorkha Municipality from various parts of the district and foreign countries.

Prior to the pandemic, community members seldom washed their hands frequently. Even if they did, it was not done properly. While national media reported about rising COVID-19 cases in the country each passing day, the bus park did not have a handwashing station. This had put people of Ward No. 6, Gorkha Municipality at a serious risk.

To lessen the risk of contagion, GNI Nepal collaborated with the Municipality, Health Unit and Tole Bikash Samittee to install a handwashing station at Chalise Tole. From March to June, every day, an estimated 1,200 locals travelling from Gorkha Bazaar to Aarughat, Dharche, Chumnubri, and Bhimsen Thapa Rural Municipalities used it.

The handwashing station is still intact and in use to this day. These days, around 80 people including locals and travelers are using it daily. Chairperson of Chalise Tole Bikash Samittee shares, “Since the threat of COVID-19 is still lingering, the station will remain as it is. We are also planning to use this handwashing station as a drinking water facility in the future.”