This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Albert Vang.
To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.
The project was to build 7 pit-style, brick-lined latrines in the Boustane Diop.
Albert reports:
With the experience of prior latrine projects, the project went smoothly. During the month prior to starting work, I frequently went to the village of Boustane Diop and spoke with the participants about the process. The month prior to the materials arriving, the villagers began to dig the holes. They also started collecting sand that would be used to mix with cement to create the bricks. In addition, the Boustane Diop village chief took on the job of coming around to collect the village contributions.
We were delayed a week in starting while arranging for a mason to do the work. The weather caused an additional delay, as we had a couple of “freak” days where it poured.
The design called for a simple pit style latrine, but lined with cement bricks to provide support, better protection, and stability. Each latrine required about 115 bricks in order to fulfill the 2 meter depth.
When the bricks were created, they had to sit out and be taken care of for close to a week. This required daily rinsing and drying to make the bricks stronger.
Once all the bricks were in place, the mason went to work on the cement slab. He cut up the three rebar bars into 1.5-meter long bars, and placed them in a criss-cross pattern. He would tie it all together then pour cement over it creating the cement slab cover to be placed over the latrine hole.
Two smaller holes were also created at this time in the slab to stand for the pipe for ventilation and a place to sit. Any space surrounding the hole was filled with the dirt from digging the hole earlier.
When the slab dried, it was placed over the hole and the sides covered by cement. A 3-meter pipe was then installed and a place to sit was made. Soon after, walls called saket were created to fence the latrine in to provide some form of privacy.
As for the villagers, they were all content with the end product and glad for the latrines in their compounds.
Soon, my counterpart and I will hold a community gathering for both Boustane villages where we will explain the importance of keeping the latrines well maintained and clean.
Finally, thank you greatly once again for the aid and funding, and we as Peace Corps volunteers and with our villages, will help spread the word on clean water and better sanitation!
We again wish to thank The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust for providing the funding for this project.
