PHINLA partnered with “පිවිතුරු හෙටක්”, a community-focused programme organized by the College of Nursing – Kandana under their Community Health Field Programme, to address pressing waste management challenges in the Kanuwana-Ja Ela area.
The programme aimed to promote practical and sustainable solutions to local waste management issues through community and school-based awareness initiatives. Activities included a series of street dramas, distribution of waste bins and informational leaflets, and recognition and rewards for schoolchildren who actively engaged in promoting responsible waste practices within their households and neighborhoods.
The initiative was supported by the PHINLA II project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and World Vision Germany, and implemented by World Vision Lanka in partnership with Janathakshan. PHINLA provided technical and organizational support for community awareness and outreach, reaching 123 families through the programme.
In addition, PHINLA Resource Collectors (RCs) from the area actively supported the event. They were formally introduced to the community, strengthening local engagement and reinforcing the link between households and sustainable waste collection mechanisms.
The success of the programme was made possible through strong collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including the College of Nursing – Kandana, Ja Ela Medical Officer of Health (MOH), St. Joseph’s Secondary School – Kanuwana, Ja Ela Divisional Secretariat, Local Authorities, religious and community leaders, and nearby factories.
This collective effort demonstrates the value of multi-stakeholder partnerships in addressing environmental and public health challenges while empowering communities and children to become active agents of change toward a cleaner and healthier future.
