This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Rachel Folkerts.
To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.
The project was to build 50 latrines in the village and to implement a comprehensive hygiene campaign.
Rachel reports:
In total, 48 cement-lined flushing latrines were built in Weinde and three nearby communities. In addition, every one of the 81 households in Weinde was reached with handwashing and hygiene sensitization, as well as the participating 25 households and one institution in nearby communities.
Latrine construction in the community was begun by the first volunteer in Weinde, Eric Noel (RPCV 2010-2012). Through that project every household in Weinde was provided access to a latrine; before the project many households had no latrine access. Simple pit latrines were constructed and shared by three households.
Although that project was completed only two years ago, many of those latrines since became full due to heavy usage. In addition, several new houses were built without latrines. The community determined that a new latrine project was needed, and implemented the current project.
The latrine construction was very straightforward. 47 households and one institution were able to earn the right to participate by providing a required community contribution of 10,000 cfa. I provided an additional 5,000 cfa and worked with PEPAM to bring two-pit, cement-lined, flushing latrines to Weinde and three nearby communities.
Once PEPAM received the request for the latrines, they handled all of the materials and labor for the project, and saw it through to completion.
In addition to the construction of the latrines, there was a concentrated effort to improve hygiene in the community through teaching and demonstration. Washing with soap and water after using the facilities was not widely practiced at the outset. However, the construction of new latrines gave the individual households a feeling of investment in the project, assisting us to move toward full handwashing compliance.
We also placed a simple 3-step illustrated how-to hand wash card in each constructed latrine. After using the latrine, individuals will be reminded to wash their hands. Participants have reported that the visual reminder is useful.
Participants are extremely pleased with the latrines. They praise them for being well made, affordable, durable, and more esthetically pleasing than a pit latrine. The community response to the project has been overwhelmingly positive. They are eager to partner with PEPAM again in 2015 to increase the latrines in the community.
Thank you again for your support of this project! It truly has made many people in my community happy and provided them with a much needed piece of basic household infrastructure. Thank you!
We are grateful to Rachel for completing this project.
