Activity: Training for Public Convenience Operators Date: 29 – 30 November 2018 Location: LEDeG Office Participants: Sanitation Operators Speaker (s): Thinless Dorjay, Mepham Otsal, Namgail Angmo, John Mohhamad, Snehit Prakash
- Objective: To initiate the operators in the importance of provision of public conveniences and the important roles that operators play in the provision of that service. Also to drill down the importance of quality service provision.
- Summary Agenda:
Day 1 Time Activity 10:30 – 11:30 Introduction 11:30 – 13:00 Visit to public toilets – Bus Stand and Zangsti Parking 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch 14:00 – 15:00 Feedback on toilets and learning from existing operators experiences 15:00 – 16:00 Understanding roles and responsibilities 16:00 – 16:30 Setting timing slots and fixing locations
Day 2 - Time Activity 10:30 – 11:30 Recap of day 11:30 – 13:00 Visit to Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant and understanding personnel protective equipment 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch 14:00 – 15:00 Lecture by Mipham Otsal – Importance of hygiene and sanitation in Ladakhi culture 15:00 – 16:30 Lecture by Namgail Angmo – Basics of communication and customer handling
Summary of Results:
The training led to the finalisation of the operators, their time slots and their commitment for a year. They were ready to commit one year of their time after having understood the nature and type of their work. Exposure to Mr. Mepham Otsal provided important impetus to understanding importance of sanitation. However, considering the fact that none of them have worked in such a situation before, it promises to be a steep learning curve. Also they themselves were unsure if people would use the location as a café/eatery.
- Challenges / Issues: The biggest challenge was the absence of male operators for the toilet, only one appeared for the interview. Also inexperience of the operators in working in such conditions would be an issue. A challenge lies in devising a communication channel to change public perception regarding public toilets.
- Follow-up: To be followed up by a second session of training which will include the following: - Understanding the mechanics of public convenience site: plumbing, electricity etc - Visit to public toilets to learn from experience of existing toilets - Visit to 2 high class toilets in Leh - Finalising initial protocol
