A “Capacity Building Training on Social Behavioural Change Communication (SBCC) Water and Sanitation with WATSAN, FTK users and Swachhagrahis” was held at Langzanger and Thangthure villages of Kiphire district on Saturday. The training was organised and sponsored by Water and Sanitation Support Organisation (WSSO), PHED, Kiphire Division.

Longtili C Sangtam, Chairman of Implementing Support Agency, Akehda Amulung highlighting about Swachhagrahis, mentioned that they are also known as ‘foot soldiers’ whose duty is to implement Community Approaches to Sanitation (CAS) at the village levels.

Swachhagrahis are the ambassadors for cleanliness and motivators to bring about safe sanitation practices and are required to propagate the message of cleanliness in their villages, he added. Sangtam also said that Swachhagrahis will act as facilitators between the villages and the PHED and will be appointed by the department.

Swachhagrahis or cleanliness agents also come under the directive of Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

Meanwhile Limatemsu, Kiphire District Coordinator spoke on the importance of cleanliness on environment, cleaning water source and rain water harvesting, which will benefit the community and will improve the health of its citizens.

Adding that open defecation-free (ODF) is one among the mission where the department is taking up the step to improve Hygiene in the village level.  Limatemsu also informed that WATSAN is actively taking part in operation and maintenance of property provided by the department.

Lastly, he said that Field Testing Kits (FTK) are very important as they ensure the safety of Drinking Water.