First Project Kicks-Off in Nepal!

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

Prototype toilet completed on 15 Oct 09

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. 90 families have signed up and the project commences in December 2009 and will complete by July 2010.

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

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