The 2015 Nepal Village Health Improvement Design Studio – MORE INFORMATION

When a group of design and architecture students, plumber, educator, engineer, dental technician, school staff and children combine for 10 days…the results can be exciting.

The recently completed Nepal Studio linked a range of health and environment issues …particularly teeth and toilets
with the need to complete  developed designs, for a broad range of needs, to allow construction to be commenced before the mid – year wet season. 

Firstly, there was an urgent need for more toilets and improving the existing  toilets …. complete with waste water treatment and disposal on the school site. Then, hand washing facilities were needed to ensure the benefits of having toilets are not lost.

Next was the need to design the simple facilities essential to allow tooth brushing. This was supported by teacher training and demonstration sessions with children.

To ensure all of this was able to be sustained by adequate water, the water supply and storage was checked and plans made to increase the storage capacity near the school. The IAPMO supported environmental engineer and plumber were put onto this task.

Concurrently with the design works, a dental needs survey was completed by the Nepali dental technician and future remedial works planned.

The 12 students from 2 Australian universities came at their own cost and received no course credit for the 10 days of work. To try and change this in the future a university lecturer attended the Studio and began the detailed work of writing a course of study that could allow future studios to be run as part of a teaching program. A student from the 2014 Studio, was supported to return in the role of tutor for this year’s Studio.

All the works were supported and directly assisted by the enthusiastic school children, staff and school community board.

Thanks to all those who made the journey to this poor rural school where 600 children and teachers will soon see the benefits of the work as construction commences to implement the design ideas. Stay linked to this site for updates as construction commences.

FOR MORE DETAIL ABOUT THE STUDIO CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EXTRACTS FO THE REPORT  

FOR MORE ABOUT THE IMPORTANT LINKS BETWEEN TEETH AND TOILETS CLICK HERE