Fran Peavey | September, 2002

Dear Fran,
Although I currently reside in the Washington, DC area, I have recently been appointed director of an orphanage in Varanasi. We're a bit new, in fact still under construction. The advantage of being new though is that we have a unique opportunity to take some cutting-edge initiatives to introduce technology and awareness, which our Motherland desperately needs. We'd like to start some programmes to educate the kids about water pollution problems in our area. Any assistance you could render would be greatly appreciated! - Pallavi Raina

	Fran Peavey, center, is a founding member of the Campaign, for a Clean Ganga

Dear Friend Pallavi,
It is lovely to hear about your project and your enthusiasm for bringing cleaning the Ganges through the orphanage, which you are creating. It is a very important question what you teach children in order to prepare them for the responsibilities of caring for a river. I believe, cleaning the river education begins with a good toilet training. Shame-based toilet training creates a child, who cannot think about sewage. So it is important to teach children in the most loving and open way where to toilet and take care of the waste products of their life.

My second suggestion would involve the construction of the toilet in any orphanage. If there is room I would suggest a composting toilet. This is by far the best and most responsible technology. However, the children must also learn to be involved with emptying the toilet into a place where it will not come into contact with human beings again. There is no foolproof system for dealing with the compost from the toilet so they must be taught to be careful. Above all, do not install a water toilet. This is a mistake that the Western world adopted and now we must learn to change.

Thirdly, I would suggest regular trips to the river. Let the children come to appreciate the beauty and the majesty of this fine river. Take them on boat trips. If you're going to teach them to swim or let them play in the water may I suggest that you go to the opposite bank of the river. It is cleaner there. Teach them to respect this river and all rivers.

Best wishes on your project. Fran Peavey

Fran Peavey is one of the founding members of Sankat Mochan Foundation, which leads the Campaign for a Clean Ganga. She is also President of Friends of the Ganges USA.