Human & Environment Links Progressive Organization
“Awareness” is the state of being aware, or having knowledge of something. It’s ineluctable to be aware about the things and duties that you are dealing with. That’s why HELP‐O Eco Green Company had organized an awareness program on monitoring the bio gas unit installed in RABS (Rapid Action Boat Squadron Headquarters).
The awareness program was conducted by Mr.Chathura Welivitiya the Managing Director of HELP‐O Eco Green Company. And Dr. Chithral Ambawatta the senior Lecturer of Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna participated in this occasion. Through this we hope to reduce the problems which are occurring when using the bio gas. Numbers of matelotes were participated for this valuable event as they need to be aware about maintaining it properly.
First of all Mr.Chathura described them the present situation of Sri Lanka’s because of the urban waste, waste water and energy. And Dr. Chithral Ambawatta the lecturer of Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna participated in this occasion. As a sustainable solution for these problems he introduced them bio gas. Before starting the awareness towards maintaining the bio gas plant it is important to acquaint the background. After that only they can exactly understand the importance of maintaining the plant.
What is bio gas? Mr.Chathura explained it them with every details including what it contains. This made them aware that increasing methane percentage in the plant is the main thing to produce bio gas as it need to be contain 50%‐ 70% comparing to other resource gases like Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen Sulfite. To produce methane what do they need to use as inputs? That was the next thing he described. While he is describing those inputs the workers were very interested as they asked many questions. Green color things are the most p
As an example cow dug and vegetables are most suitable for their bio gas plant as the resources they can easily find. And that was valuable information for them.
Go Green Programme in Rapid Action Boat Squadron Headquarters. 02
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Further then he explained that bio gas plant can only feed by digesting organic waste. And those materials also need to be chopped before entering to the plant. If large materials like vegetable waste, fish waste did not chop well it will occur many problems in near future as blocking the gas plant. He expressed some of his experiences according to this matter. And one worker asked about the water percentage that needs to put with inputs. It was described very clearly by Mr.Chathura.
He advised them not to enter much lime and pine apple waste to the plant as lime is not a chemical thing that they could be using it. Though lime is not a chemical thing the acid it produces can kill the bacteria in digester tank which produces gas. Then he explained about the things which they should not use as input materials. Non organic waste as glass, polythene, plastic, chemicals, rubber, metal etc are not to be used. Organic things like stones, sand, animal skeletons, dried leaves, fruit seeds etc are also not applicable to enter.
Then the structure of the plant was described to them using images as they can understand it easily. And to encourage them to plant vegetables using the organic fertilizer of bio gas plant he showed them some pictures of home gardens which doing using bio fertilizer. They were impressed by those photos and ask how to use those. It was described them with the percentages of adding water to the fertilizer.
Some of their problems were discussed in there and all of those were solved. And also he made them aware about the manometer as it will be very important. How to check the gas level was their main problem and he explained it to them.
National Awareness and Training program for the CSO members organized by Sri Lanka UN‐REDD Programme in
Chinthana Training Centre, Nainamadama, Negombo. The UN‐REDD program is the United Nations collaborative
initiative on reducing emissions from deforestration and forest degradation (REDD) in developing countries. HELP‐O
& HELP O Eco Green Ltd got a chance for participate and exchange this national workshop. Therefore, Ms. Ayoma
Thennakoon the Field Manager of HELP‐O & Mr. Osanda Koswatta the Project Executive of HELP O Eco Green Ltd
participated in this special occasion.
Members of the CSO Platform do not have adequate knowledge on REDD+ and its evolution, the relationship between
REDD+ and the UN‐REDD Programme, the difference between a national REDD+ programme and the UN‐REDD
Programme, implementation experiences in the other countries and the role of the CSOs in shaping the REDD+ process
in Sri Lanka.
Hence, there is a need to create awareness and build the capacity of CSO members on REDD+ in general, and the role of
the UN‐REDD Programme in helping Sri Lanka gets ready for REDD+. With this in mind, the UN‐REDD Programme
Executive Board (PEB) at its 2nd meeting held on 9th January 2014 approved for holding two workshops for CSO
members. One of the awareness workshops will be at the national level and the other at the provincial level.
The time schedule for the workshops was February/March 2014. It is expected that these workshops will enable CSO
platform members to participate and engage in the Sri Lanka REDD+ readiness process, currently within the UN‐REDD
Programme, but also beyond during the REDD+ implementation phase. The workshop will also be utilized for drafting
the Action Plan and Budget for the CSO platform for 2014. The objectives were in this program,
1) Awareness creation on REDD+ and the role of the UN‐REDD Programme in helping Sri Lanka gets ready for
REDD+; and
2) Draft an action plan and budget for the CSO platform for 2014.
And anticipated outcomes are,
Basic knowledge on REDD+; and the Sri Lanka UN‐REDD Programme;
Basic knowledge of key role of the CSO Platform in REDD+ readiness process;
Draft action plan and budget for the CSO Platform for 2014; and
Agreed operational mechanism for the CSO Platform which includes consultation, communication and decision
making
The resource persons were, Mr.Anura Sathurusinghe the Conservator General of Forest/ National Program Director Sri
Lanka UN‐REDD Programme, Dr.Ananda Mallawathanthri the Assistant Country Director and Team Leader
(Environment, Energy and Disaster Risk Reduction) UNDP Sri Lanka, Mr. Nalin Munasighe the National Programme
Manager Sri Lanka UN‐REDD Programme and many guests participated in this occasion.
Sharing Experiences with “UN‐REDD Programme” 04
International World Water Day 2014
Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first world water
day and it has been held annually since then.
The theme in 2014 is “water and energy” and it was coordinate by United Nations University
(UNU) Organization (UNIDO).
Objective of the World Water Day 2014
• Raise awareness of the inter‐linkages between water and energy
• Contribute to a policy dialog that focuses on the broad range of issues related to the
nexus of water and energy
• Demonstrate, through case studies, to aches and solutions to water‐energy issues can
achieve greater economic and decision makers in the energy sector and the water
domain that integrated appro social impacts.
• Identify policy formulation and capacity development issues in which the UN system,
in particular UN‐Water and UN‐Energy, can offer significant contributions
• Identify key stakeholders in the water –energy nexus and actively engaging them in
further developing the water‐energy linkages
• Contribute as relevant to the post‐2015 discussions in relation to the water‐energy nexus
International World Water Day tries to remind the people about the significance o fresh water
and to promote sustainability for fresh water resource management.
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International World Water day is held every year on 22 March to focus
global attention on the importance of water and advocating for the
sustainable management of our water resources.
An international day to celebrate fresh water was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environmental and Development (UNCED) held in Rio, Brazil. The United
Introducing Bio Gas Technology for Panadura Base Hospital
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The awareness program in Panadura Base Hospital was held a
few days ago. The program was conducted by Mr Chathura
Welivitiya from HELP‐O Eco Green Company, and nearly 25
participants from hospital participated in the program. Also, Mr
Sachitha Nandajith, the Manager of Panadura Brach participated
at this event. The main objective of the program was to create an
awareness about the proper maintenance of the biogas unit.
Managing Director, Mr Chathura Welivitiya, was the special
lecturer and he explained the dangers of environmental pollution
by haphazard waste dumping, the technology of the biogas
system, and the advantages of using a biogas plant and specially
maintaining the system of the plant.
In the presentation, he highlighted that biogas plants can only be
fed digestive organic waste, and the problems that could incur if
fed non digestive material such as metal, glass, polythene,
plastic, etc. He described the importance of chopping large
materials before feeding in to the system and also described how
to check the biogas pressure of the plant, and the importance of
cleaning the cooker, etc.
Afterwards, he explained the importance of utilizing bio fertilizer
for cultivation which can be useful as a hormone, a natural
fruitful organic fertilizer insecticide.
We answered some questions which were asked by the
enthusiastic participants and we gave the Manual of the biogas
plant to make it easier for the maintenance process.
Also, should appreciate the whole team from the hospital for
organizing this event and for their cooperation. It was a great
pleasure to say we also were encouraged by their valuable
comments on our projects.
Sharing Community Empowerment Technology with Foreigners…..
“HELP‐O’s organizational principle: I was very impressed with HELP‐O in its dedication to people‐
centered development approach. To motivate local people rather than to order them is critical for sustainable community development. Many acknowledge this; but, in reality, implementation is not always made. HELP‐O has fully understood it. Thus, HELP‐O does gradually grow local groups step‐by‐step. Step‐by‐step approach does accept difference in development pace across different communities.
HELP‐O’s community finance: I asked several questions on community finance since micro‐finance could be defined as community finance. Related to the previous point such as step‐by‐step approach, community finance is a method for endogenous community development – saving own money accumulates the endowment for their own finance scheme. If one devotes own resources into financing, he never mismanage it. This is what I have interpreted HELP‐O’s community finance.
HELP‐O’s future plan: I like your idea of expansion of your work for communities in the rural part of the Galle district. As I said, a joint work with Sarvodaya might become of your strength since HELP‐O and Sarvodaya have shared the same principle: people should be empowered through the course of community empowerment.
ISEC intern: having ISEC intern is an excellent idea! The young interns can learn importance of community building and people’s action in real. HELP‐O could learn from them who come from outside with different perspectives and network.”
Mr Takayoshi Kusago, Professor of Social System Designing, Faculty of Sociology, discussed
about the Community Networking Program at the CLOSENBERG Hotel, Galle. Mr Chathura
Welivitiya, the Chairman of HELP‐O, Mr Osanda Koswatta, Ms Thamali Anuradha, Mr Keisai
Nakashima, and Mr David Cameron were the other participants in this occasion. They discussed
about Community Empowerment, Housing Program, and Community Financing Program. Mr
Kusago shared his valuable ideas about Community Networking Program of HELP‐O and he
mentioned as follows:
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The Benefits for Biogas Users
Individual households judge the profitability of biogas plants primarily from the monetary surplus gained from utilizing bio gas and bio‐fertilizer in relation to the cost of the plants. The following effects, to be documented and provided with a monetary value, should be listed as benefits.
Expenditure saved by the substitution of other energy sources with biogas. If applicable, income from the sale of biogas
Expenditure saved by the substitution of mineral fertilizers with bio‐fertilizer. Increased yield by using bio‐fertilizer. If applicable, in come from the sale of bio –fertilizer,
Saving in the cost of disposal and treatment of substrates (mainly for waste –water treatment)
Time saved for collecting and preparing previously used fuel materials (If applicable ), time saved for work in the stable and spreading manure (if this time can be used to generate income).
Monetarizing individual benefits
The economic evaluation of the individual benefits of bio gas plant is relatively simple if the users cover their energy and fertilizer demands commercially. In general, the monetary benefits from bio gas plants for enterprises and institutions as well as from plants for well to do households should be quite reliably calculable. These groups normally purchase commercial fuels. Bio gas slurry is a marketable product and the infrastructure allows it’s transport at reasonable cost. Furthermore, treatment of waste and waste water is strictly regulated by law, causing communes, companies and farmers expenses which, if reduced with the help of biogas technology, are directly calculable benefits.
In contrast, small farmers in developing countries a collect and use mostly traditional fuels and fertilizers like wood, harvest residues and cow dung. No direct monetary savings can be attributed to the use of bio gas and bio‐fertilizer. The monetary value of bio gas has to be calculated through the time saved for collecting fuel, the monetary value for bio‐fertilizer through the expected increase in crop yields.
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Up‐scaling Bio Gas Technology for sustainable Development and Mitigating Climate Change in Sri Lanka”
The New EU‐SWITCH Asia initiative was implemented by
Janathakshan (Gte) Ltd and people in need, Cz with funding from
the European Union aims to mobilize the Sri Lankan private sector,
microfinance institutions, producers and consumer organizations
along with public authorities in uptake of renewable energy for
mitigating climate change and contribution to economic growth and
poverty reduction.
HELP O Eco Green Ltd was offered an opportunity to take part in
the inaugural work shop which was hosted by Janatyhakshan (Get)
Ltd and People In Need,Cz at the Committee Room, BMICH,
Colombo. On behalf of HELP O Eco Green Ltd., its Project
Executive, Mr. Osanda Koswatta, participated in this occasion.
To implement three year project focused on up‐ scaling bio gas
technology for sustainable development, economic growth
contributing to poverty reduction and Climate Change Mitigation
and Adaptation in Sri Lanka. This new EU Switch‐ Asia program is
focused on promoting the use of bio gas as a renewable clean
energy source for tourism small and medium enterprises (SME),
households and public authority in the country while building the
technical capacity of manufacture and construction SME in bio gas
technologies and funded by European Union.
The theme of the program was aimed at addressing the “Up‐scaling
Bio Gas Technology for sustainable Development and Mitigating
Climate Change in Sri Lanka” in order to allow the experts working
in the renewable energy sector to come up with innovative concepts
which are to be ecologically friendly to plummet the adverse
changes to the existing climate patterns.
This workshop was quite fruitful for all the participants since it
allowed experts to share their knowledge, experiences and problem
solving methods in Bio Gad production which could be applied by
others as solutions.
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The Man who succeed the Journey of Life by overcoming the Obstacles……
Poverty is general scarcity or dearth, or the state where one lacks a certain amount of materials, possession or money. Absolute poverty or destitution refers to the deprivation of basic human needs, which commonly includes food, water, shelter, health care, clothing, sanitation and education. Relative poverty is defined contextually as economic in equality in the location or society in which people live. Poor people lack food, clothes and medicine, and they are unable to build new houses and it is only a pipe‐dream. For a family suffering from poverty, the situation becomes worse when the breadwinner is disabled. Then, what will the current situation be for that family? Housing and Livelihood Development Women’s Co‐operative Ltd was established to build a new house for the family like that. The Project is conducted by HELP‐O from contributions from CLAFNET and other benefactors. Here is the life story of Mr. Suminda. A little in his story……… At 23/19 “C”, Dadalla, Galle, lived Mr. G K Suminda and he had studied up to the primary level education. He lived in his mother’s house and his mother was ill. His mother’s three sisters were also living there. Mr. Suminda and his mother lived from his earnings. Mr. Suminda got married in 2012 and after that, his uncle tried to evict Mr. Suminda and his family from that house. He faced a challenge to build a new house for his wife and mother. He had to build a house immediately. He stopped dreaming and built a small new temporary hut. He used the wall instead of tarpaulin and tar sheet. After that, he settled down in that hut. But he never thought that he could build a house. He could not save money to build the house because his earnings were spent on food for the family. Mr. Suminda was miserable during this period. His wife became pregnant and this increased his stress. He looked for a better job to solve his problem. Unfortunately, he also met with an accident and his leg was broken. He could not walk. By that time, they also were blessed with a baby and their needs increased but not their financial needs. By this time, HOLDE Women’s Co‐operative Ltd and CLAFNET initiated a Project to build a small house for Mr. Suminda and his family. We mentioned a part of their story. We decided to build a house for them. You can see the pictures and decide for yourself. You can contribute to help them.
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We welcome your Comments & New Suggestions……….
Thank you to all who contributed to this
Newsletter
HELP‐O Newsletter
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comments regarding the publication, contact
HELP‐O,
No.364/18A, Samagi Mw,
Dangedara, Galle,
Sri Lanka.
T.P/Fax‐
(++94)91 4380121/ (++94)91 2226818
E‐mail‐
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www.helposrilanka.org /www.helpoecogreen.com
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