This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Jackie Allen.
To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.
The project was to construct 10 latrines in Etchilo.
Jackie reports:
The project has been completed according to plan.
A hardware store recently opened up in the market town of Salemata, just 10 km from Etchilo, which is a subsidiary of a large hardware store in the regional capital, Kedougou, 80 km away. This made my work very easy in that I was able to purchase the sacks of cement, rebar, iron tying wire, and PVC for ventilation and arrange transport much closer to where the project was actually happening.
Although the store in Salemata had to wait for an order to be delivered, the materials were taken up the mountain to Etchilo only days later. During this time, the ten households dug their holes and brought up sand in anticipation of the arrival of the materials.
Work was delayed, despite assurances to the contrary, because of weekly initiations for young boys in the surrounding Basari villages. However, after the last initiation, over the coming week, three masons completed the latrines. When I last visited they were collecting bamboo to weave fences.
We had a meeting with the local health worker to talk about the proper use of the latrines, and the great steps these families took in contributing to a cleaner living environment for themselves and their families.
We are grateful to Jackie for completing this project, her 6th in partnership with Water Charity. We again extend our thanks to the Elmo Foundation for providing the funding.
