Arbor-loos in use

Monica Labiche Brown — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:51:33 GMT

Arbor-loo

The goal of the Children’s Sanitation and Hygiene Program is to reduce diarrhea and water-borne illnesses in children by addressing the two major causes of these diseases: lack of sanitation facilities and poor hygiene practices. This program has identified schools in two rural municipalities in Chikwawa, Malawi. Students receive ongoing hygiene education classes that reinforce the important times to wash hands, the health risks of open defecation, and proper use and upkeep of sanitaiton facilities.

Small holes have been dug at each school and sanitation platforms have been distributed to students. The student put their cement sanitation platform over the hole. After each use, they add dirt and ash to the hole. Students have been trained in how to use these latrines and how to keep them clean. Tippy taps are located near the arbor-loos. These are temporary structures that use plastic bottles with holes at the bottom tied to a post. Students put a scoop of water in the tippy tap and it lets water flow slowly so students can wash their hands.

Once the holes under the student sanitation platforms are full, a tree will be planted and new holes will be dug for new arbor-loos. Water For People-Malawi is monitoring these schools very closely and the schools that keep good care of their arbor-loos will be eligible to receive permanent structures.

Tippy Tap

Update: School Sanitation Program in Chikwawa

Monica LaBiche Brown — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:07:25 GMT

School children reviewing sanitation plan

Idenitified schools are taking part in a school beatification contest. The intent of the competition is to motivate children to remove all trash from school grounds, eliminate open-defecation, and encourage their parents to purchase compositing latrines for use at home. The beautification program also includes planting trees in the pathogen rich manure from the arbor loos. Teachers and parent associations are being trained in safe use of arbor-loos and hygiene education.

The key behavior changes targeted in the classes are hand washing, safe handling of water from source to point of use, and safe disposal of human waste. School sanitation committees made up of a teacher and 8-10 students have been formed. They have received training on proper maintenance of the system and enforce hygiene messages learned in class.

Student is front of school latrine targeted for replacement

GlobalGiving.org: School Sanitation Program in Chikwawa District

Arbor-loos in use

Update: School Sanitation Program in Chikwawa