Conclusion of Orinie Latrine Project – Kenya

This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Anna Hankins.

To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.

The project was to build 5 pit latrines within Orinie, in Nareto and Orpusare Villages.

Anna reports:

The Orinie Latrine Project was completed in early December, 2013.

The Mother-to-Mother Support Group came together to elect five women across local villages to have pit latrines constructed at their homes. The mothers were trained on proper pit latrine construction and maintenance as well as various options for building materials.

Those women who had been chosen for the project were allotted funds from Water Charity and worked to create their own budgets. They were also responsible for digging their own pits.

The Peace Corps Volunteer assisted mothers in acquiring materials and contacting local craftsmen to assist in building.

Once each mother completed her family’s pit latrine, she organized a small informal session for other local women on the dangers of open defecation and the importance of hand washing. The women also plan to come together for a community-wide presentation on sanitation and hygiene in late April.

As a result of the project, five additional mothers have begun to break ground on their own pit latrines, 64 children are less at risk of diarrheal diseases, and forty-two women have been educated on the importance of using a toilet.

We are grateful to Anna for completing this important project, and again extend our thanks to Christopher Lin for providing the funding.