Local Entrepreneurs’ Training on the Promotion of
Kanchan^TM Arsenic Filter (Kanchan^TM Filter)

Facilitators:

• Roshan Shrestha, Project co-ordinator, ENPHO
• Binod Dahal, Trainer, ENPHO
• Bipin Dangol, Researcher, ENPHO
• Hari Budathoki, Supervisor, ENPHO
• Tommy Ngai, Lecturer & Researcher, MIT
• Uday Raj Sharma, NRCS
• Umesh Sharma, RWSSSP

Other attendees:

• Jeebendra Ghimire, Program support officer, ENPHO
• Rajendra Mahato, Health Worker, ENPHO
• Gauri Budathoki, Health Worker, ENPHO
• Shyam Pokharel, Chairman, NRCS
• Balram Khanal, Motivator, NRCS
• Upendra Poudel, DWSS

Activities carried out during training:

• Opening remarks by Roshan Shrestha and Shyam Pokharel, chairman of NRCS.
• Presentation by Binod Dahal on water quality and its importance, arsenic health effects
• Presentation by Roshan Shrestha on arsenic contamination in Nepal, and mitigation options
• Presentation by Tommy Ngai and Bipin Dangol on filter performance, construction, installation, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Experience sharing on Kanchan^TM Arsenic Filter by Umesh Sharma (RWSSSP) and (ENPHO).
• Discussion led by Roshan Shrestha on entrepreneurs concept, market size, pricing, long-term sustainability, filter promotion, etc.
• Demonstration by Hari Budathoki on KAF construction
• Demonstration by Tommy Ngai and Bipin Dangol on KAF installation
• Practice filter construction by all participants. A total of 10 KAF were constructed.
• Distributed IEC (information, education, communication) materials to all participants including KAF general brochure, KAF posters, and NASC arsenic posters.
• Provided 10 participants one demo KAF construction materials, including one Gem505 bucket (or Bagmati equivalent), one Gem1700 basin, one Gem016 jug, 5 kg of iron nails, one set of piping system, two wrenches, sample bags of fine sand, coarse sand, and gravel, and two bottles of Piyush. The rest of these participants will receive these materials in a later date.
• Feedbacks from participants were collected
• A copy of all presentations and other relevant information was send to all participants

Discussion results and feedbacks from participants:

• Local NGOs can only do social marketing of filters.
• Certificate is needed for local entrepreneurs to make authorized distribution and quality assurance of filters.
• To promote the filters people should make aware about the arsenic at first.
• Provision of subsidy for poor people of arsenic affected areas is necessary.
• Provision of installment basis payment system should be developed for poor people.
• Testing of water quality was given less attention so that people are suffering from various types of water born diseases.
• Due to poor sanitary condition around the house, chance of bacterial contamination in drinking water is high even though water is found good at source.
• Provision of arsenic test kit to all local entrepreneurs is necessary.
• Local entrepreneurs need regular technical support for monitoring of filters.
• The price of should be fixed in district wise basis.
• The local entrepreneurs should not take profit more than 10% of total investment of filter. Out of 10% profit, 5% budget should be allocated for maintenance and monitoring of installed filters.
• Participants agreed on our proposed filter distribution and monitoring mechanism.

Strength:

• Participants were given one demo filter will tools and sample sand & gravel so that they can begin setting up the demo filter at their office immediately.

Weakness:

• Insufficient preparation. List of proper sand sources were not given to participants. Stickers were not ready. Also, there were only 10 buckets available. Therefore some participants were not given the demo filter.
• Hotel condition was poor. Participants expressed dissatisfaction because of the heat and mosquito. Participants were transferred to another hotel for the second night.
• Participants were informed about the training less than one week before the start date. As a result, some participants were unable to attend.

Recommendations:

• Visit each of the entrepreneurs to discuss about their interest and capacity in filter production.
• Check each of the entrepreneurs’ filter quality.
• Discuss with each entrepreneur on certification and responsibility.

Training Cost