Matakossi Latrine Project – Senegal

Location
Matakossi, Kedougou Region, Senegal

Community Description
Matakossi is a moderate-sized village of approximately 350 villagers, located 37 km west of Kedougou near the Guinean border in Southeast Senegal.

Pulaar is the dominant language spoken in this remote village. The primary school in Matakossi consists of one building that houses two classrooms. The community uses the surrounding wooded areas to relieve themselves throughout the day and night.

Currently, there is only one improved latrine in the village which was built in 2010 at the school. This latrine was specifically built by UNICEF for the students and teachers to use during the school day.

Young children often relieve themselves in the compound mainly because the distance one must travel to use the bush is quite far. There is a high rate of diarrhea and other bacteria-related illnesses which would steadily decrease with proper latrine use.

Project Description
This project is to build 15 latrines in Matakossi.

In anticipation of the project, every potential latrine site was scouted to make sure that it was at least 25 m from any water source and of the proper depth and width.

Members of each participating household will proceed to dig a 2 m deep and 1.5 m wide cabin, and collect sand and 6 logs. There will then be a scheduled training for 8 men who will be responsible for the building of all the latrine platforms in the village. The training will be led by a local mason who is very experienced and is proficient in the local language.

Because the ground in the area is hard laterite it is not necessary for these latrines to be lined. On the other hand, they will be ventilated using 2 m of PVC piping which will be covered on top with mesh (to keep flies out).

Once the platform builders are properly trained they will proceed to build platforms throughout the village. The technique that they will be trained to use is as follows: First, they will lay 6 logs across the top of the cabin by digging out a little extra laterite on both sides in order for the logs to rest firmly in place. Next, they will use a locally woven bamboo sheet over the logs in order to hold the cement. The cement will be reinforced with a rebar. They will use an empty tomato paste can for the opening and the PVC for ventilation.

By training local men and women on how to build these platforms they will be able to continue to build more of them next year for the families who were unable to gather materials and dig this year, with the final goal of every household in Matakossi having a clean and safe place to relieve themselves instead of in the surrounding bush.

Water Charity funds will be to purchase the materials, including cement, PVC, krinting (bamboo support), rebar, and a hack saw.

Project funds will also be used for the training of Kaly Boubane who is a highly skilled mason with a vast amount of experience in latrine building and latrine building formations.

Finally, project funds will pay for the transport of materials from Kedougou to Matakossi.

As mentioned, participants will provide the logs and sand. In addition, each family will build a shelter around their latrine to ensure privacy using readily available materials.

Finally, training in proper hygiene practices will be provided. This will include proper handwashing practice and proper latrine maintenance and use.

Project Impact
350 people will benefit from this project.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Frank Guzzardo

Comments
Sustainability is built into the project, as villagers are trained in the technology, and they will build additional latrines in the future. Each family invests a considerable amount of time and expense, thereby ensuring continued use.

Frank previously successfully completed the Matakossi Water Project – Senegal in the same community.

Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00

Donations Collected to Date
$555.00

Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has been fully funded, through the generosity of the Elmo Foundation.

We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify the Peace Corps Volunteer of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by the PCV and/or those of other PCVs in the country of service.

This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.