EWB Technion

The first EWB Technion group

The Bio-Gas group in Nepal was the first EWB Technion (and EWB Israel) group. The partnership with Namsaling taught the team firsthand about the challenges of working with a developing community, and provides the basis of all future activities and partnerships.

Background

Namsaling is a rural village in eastern Nepal with a population of about 8,000 people. An EWB Technion team visited Namsaling for the first time in December 2008. It found that air and water pollution are due mainly to the lack of a clean and available source of energy. During the visit, the team became aware of bio-gas, gas produced by the breakdown of organic materials, apparently a feasible solution.

Together with all partners: NCDC-Namsaling Community Development Center, BSP- Biogas Sector Partnership, families from Namsaling and EWB Technion, 40 household bio-gas systems were constructed in the first phase.

The construction went along with water quality tests, educational activities and a deep acquaintance with the community.

Current Activity

The second stage of the partnership started in 2014. Part of the program included the construction of 59 additional bio-gas systems, while the main part was a community survey to collect information about indoor air conditions, water quality and health issues. The group is now working to analyze the information collected to understand the impact of bio-gas reactors on village life. According to the results, the group will decide how to proceed.

An additional topic the group is working on was derived from Initial information surveyed, which showed a possible link between un-boiled drinking water at school and health issues. The group is working these days on the development of a simple water filtration system, and will soon test its suitability to the village.