Phase 1 - Sanitation

Our target date of implementing Phase 1 is in December 09 – to facilitate the construction of 100 toilets through communal participation in planning, construction and maintenance. A preliminary site survey was done to determine an appropriate sanitation system and its location for each household. After which, a demonstration / mock-up toilet was built as a prototype before this was replicated within the target community. This exercise was conducted in October 09.

Existing makeshift toilet

Prototype Toilet

(October 2009)

A prototype toilet was constructed so as to (1) ascertain if the site conditions are suitable for this model, (2) serve as a demonstration cum showcase toilet for villagers to see and understand the benefits of this system and the scope of works involved and (3) estimate the overall project cost of constructing 100 toilets.

The site condition in this village proves to be favourable for the construction of a basic 2-pit toilet system. This system runs on alternating between two leach pits where when one pit is full in about three years’ time, waste is then diverted to the second pit. Waste from the first pit is then allowed to sit and decompose naturally and within a year, dry compost will be formed which is then safe for handling. The pit is then manually emptied of its nutrient rich content and used as fertilizer. This system can last a long time and is environmentally sustainable.

The prototype was constructed on 15 October, beside the village community centre to showcase and demonstrate how this simple alternative toilet system works.

Site of the prototype toilet (beside the village community centre)

Commencement of work by villagers

Curious neighbors

Constructing two leach pits and the junction box

Adding interior finishes

Prototype toilet completed on 15 Oct 09

Village Meeting & Signing Up

(November 2009)

A village meeting was held on 13 November to explain how this project will be implemented. For a community with 90% of families without assess to proper sanitation, this project is greeted with much excitement and enthusiasm. A set of terms and conditions was worked out to encourage families to co-build their own toilets and to pay-off material costs by participating in the next community project that will benefit their village as a whole, such as building footpaths and garbage management. This way, aid is used to encourage them to work toward sustainability rather than to depend on welfare. 100 families signed up and the project commenced in December 2009 with target completion in July 2010.

A huge crowd turned up for the meeting

Villagers viewing the junction box that diverts waste into one leach pit

100 households queuing up to participate in the Sanitation project on 13 Nov 09

100 Toilets Construction

(November 2009 – March 2010)

Works commenced on 23/11/09 and the project was carried out in clusters of about 5 families at a time. From the look on the faces of the participants and the speed at which each toilet is completed, you can see they are highly responsive and excited with the project. At last, their very own toilet for the first time. The 100th toilet was completed on 23/3/10, 4 months ahead of schedule!

A Completion Ceremony, organized by TLHC, was held on 15/4/10 at the village.