UNICEF and Youngistaan Foundation partnered to launch the We Volunteer project which promotes COVID-appropriate WASH behavior to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Telangana.
On November 1st, 2021 Youngistaan Foundation, with the support of UNICEF and GHMC, distributed over 1,500 hand hygiene kits to garbage collectors. Garbage collectors were specifically selected due to the COVID-hazardous nature of their work which requires them to go door-to-door to collect garbage.
Each hand hygiene kit includes: 2 liquid hand wash bottles, 1 antiseptic liquid bottle, 1 pair of latex hand gloves to collect garbage, 3 detergent soaps, 4 reusable masks, 1 nail cutter, and communication materials on COVID-19 precautionary measures.
Against the backdrop of Hyderabad’s iconic Charminar, the first distribution of hygiene kits to 60 garbage collectors was conducted by representatives from the local community, GHMC, UNICEF and Youngistaan Foundation, who also spread awareness on COVID-appropriate behavior.
“This is the first time that people came and interacted with us and have given us hygiene kits – during the entire pandemic. I am very happy to get the gloves and will be using them hereafter to be more careful and safe during this pandemic.”
Narasimha, SAT Auto Garbage Collector at Punchamala
“I am happy to inaugurate the event of UNICEF, Youngistaan Foundation and GHMC on health and hygiene during COVID times. Distributing hygiene kits with soap, gloves, masks and sanitisers to the common people will not only help but will also inculcate good hygiene habits during this pandemic.”
Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, Hon’ble Governor of Haryana
“Swachh Auto Tipper Drivers interact with every household on a daily basis by going door to door to collect garbage. In order to support such vulnerable people who are at high risk, Youngistaan Foundation and UNICEF have come forward to provide essential hygiene kits to help them combat COVID-19.”
Shri Badhavath Santhosh, IAS Additional Commissioner Health, GHMC
“I always go and help my husband to collect garbage, but never paid too much attention towards sanitation, as no one ever told us or alerted us about the hazards. I always worried about my daughter’s safety but now due to the awareness created here, I will be much more careful hereafter.”
Krishnaveni, SAT Auto Garbage Collector
“We are very happy to do our bit to help the garbage collectors who do a lot for the community and are more vulnerable during this pandemic. We plan to distribute over 1,500 hygiene kits and also work with them in the coming days. We want to thank GHMC and UNICEF for all the support.”
Arun Daniel Yellamaty, Founder and Director of Youngistaan Foundation
“As part of global humanitarian action for children and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UNICEF Hyderabad field office, in partnership with Youngistaan Foundation and GHMC, is distributing hygiene kits to SATs in Hyderabad to help prevent and arrest the spread of COVID-19. These hygiene kits will help to inculcate the habit of handwashing and keep people safe from the COVID-19 pandemic.
UNICEF and Youngistaan Foundation are also creating a pool of volunteers to address WASH and COVID-19 issues in Hyderabad and Telangana state at large. Today’s inaugural event, the distribution of hygiene kits at Charminar with Chief Guest Hon’ble Governor of Haryana Sri Bandaru Dattatreya, has highlighted the importance of COVID-appropriate behaviours to be continued by people.”
Venkatesh Aralikatty, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist, UNICEF Hyderabad
As a follow up to the distribution drive, the team from Youngistaan Foundation and UNICEF will be conducting a feedback survey from the garbage collectors to understand their hygiene practices and the effectiveness of their awareness effort with those in their vicinity.
This program is supported by UNICEF under the COVID-19 response and humanitarian action programme. Youngistaan Foundation with support of UNICEF, State and District administrations and Municipal Corporations will be conducting awareness drives among garbage collectors, installing hand wash stations and enabling young volunteers to participate in advocating the importance of COVID-appropriate behaviour in rural and urban communities of Telangana.
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ABOUT THE PROJECT
Youngistaan Foundation in collaboration with UNICEF is implementing a project called ‘We Volunteer’ that aims to train 5,000 young volunteers in 33 districts of Telangana on COVID-appropriate WASH behaviour. In addition, Youngistaan Foundation will enable these volunteers to act as torch bearers in their respective communities by reaching out to 30 lakh people across the state.
People interested in joining We Volunteer may sign up using this Google Form!
NEWS COVERAGE
1,500 Hygiene Kits Given to Garbage Collectors
Times of India | 02 Nov 2021
UNICEF and Youngistaan Foundation Distribute 1,500 Hygiene Kits to Garbage Collectors
India Education Diary | 01 Nov 2021
