It was once said that cleanliness and order are not matters of instinct; they are matters of education. Like most great things, one has to cultivate a taste for them. In today’s world, the most obvious indicator that tells how developed a society is, is its cleanliness, simply because it defines the awareness level and advancement the society has reached.
In this context, the Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training (LOST), in collaboration with UNICEF, has initiated several projects, the most recent of which is the Water and Sanitation Hygiene Program (WASH). It is a program which is directed towards the Lebanese society through encouraging sorting of solid waste at the household level. It is equally concerned with the Syrian refugees in two large ISs in Yammouneh and Taibeh villages, through provision of a full WASH services package. Mohamad Amhaz, the project coordinator of the WASH project at LOST, said, “Integrity and dignity are basic principles we abide by in our work; all humans have the right to live decently with full access to their essential acknowledged rights. We believe that through providing safe water and sanitation resources and increasing awareness about vital hygiene practices and lifestyles, for both Lebanese citizens and Syrian refugees, we are protecting and maintaining their rights, dignity, and health.”
Within the cleaning campaigns at several locations in Baalbeck and Bedneyel, the targeted citizens are offered incentives to encourage them to adopt efficient sorting practices and mechanisms at households, restaurants, institutions, and shops. Knowing that the neighbourhoods being operated at are highly sensitive and extremely ultra-conservative, distribution of incentives is considered a buy in to gain the support of beneficiaries. Incentives such as flowers, towels and shopping bags are distributed during the campaigns. When asked how the incentives to be distributed are chosen, Farah Abdul Sater the project assistant at WASH said, “The incentives are chosen based on the weekly door-to-door visits and the assessments taken out,” and added “so far we have distributed more than 2000 flowers and towels during the first two months of implementation of the project.” She added, “Holding a flower and knocking the doors of 684 households and 83 institutions in Baalbek and Bedneyel’s neighborhoods was such a smooth way to pass on the sorting process and galvanize people to take part in it.” Flowers are also considered a proof of love and good intention as coaches enter households for the first time. As for towels, they are specific for kitchen usage, noting that they have the campaign logo on, which has been adopted in coordination with UNICEF; they serve as an essential reminder for the “sorting from the source” concept.
When distributing towels as incentives for the second month of the project, Lamis Sleiman, one of the WASH coaches working at Bedneyel, had an impressive story to tell, “Among the households we were visiting to distribute towels, we came across a PhD Professor at the Lebanese University, Ms. Tharwat Al Zaher.” Ms. Al Zaher recognized Lamis right away as she was explaining the purpose of the visit, then she gently smiled and said, “Lamis, there’s something you need to see.”
Lamis headed with Ms. Al Zaher to a garden, where the latter pointed to a blossoming white flower planted separately in a flower basin and continued, “Your first incentive is growing up! Dad has named it UNICEF Flower, and it is just as white as your goals are.” Lamis was shocked by the zeal shown toward the incentive and was happy with the view of the beautiful flower and the success being achieved. Ms. Al Zaher stated that she was really glad that someone was willing to make a change and decided to do something about the garbage problem.
She explained that while she was giving a lecture at the University related to health and environment, she recalled the conversation that took place previously with Lamis. She explained what WASH team has been doing to her students, and encouraged them to start sorting from the source. Thus she was indirectly promoting the principles WASH team are enhancing to incept in people’s behaviours.
With a sum of 22 targeted institutions, 1650 citizens in Baalbeck, 61 institutions, and 1941 citizens targeted in Bedneyel, the WASH project implemented in cooperation between UNICEF and LOST has achieved some of its desired goals. It has been moving on the planned track so far, determined to accomplish greater goals and changing lifestyles. Nevertheless, such accomplishments wouldn’t have touched reality without the continuous support of UNICEF, and without the will and direct action taken out by the staff working at LOST and UNICEF. In this context, it is very relevant to be reminded by this saying, “So long as you do not take the broom and the bucket in your hands, you cannot make your towns and cities clean.”
