Physical Health Bolivia Project #21966

Do-it-yourself Eco-Toilet

by SODIS Foundation

Project Report | May 4, 2016
Some updates

By Jeremy Maes | Project leader

Dear supporters,

Thanks to the work done by the SODIS Foundation in orther communities, we were able to have the experience, knowledge and equipment necessary for the construction of DIY toilets.

Several workshops with the beneficiary comunity were conducted, speeking about:

"The importances of the availability of toilets at home, it helps reducing open defecation and contamination of surface water and prevent health problems caused by poor water and sanitation. Also access to the right to a safe and adequate sanitation, it guarantees the privacy of children and adults".

The technical team showed, thanks to posters (with the support of Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, our funder in various projets and the municipal government) the importance of having toilets.

To build Eco-Toilets, each is composed of local material and non-local material, such as (local) adobes, straw, wood and non-local, cement for the construction of the plataband and PVC pipes.

The population took over the preparation of the adobes and the projects technicians carried the cement and pipes to the community.

Depending on the financial resources of each family, DIY Toilets of different "styles" form simploe to more elaborate were built.

But evey family has its toilets and a place to wash their hands. And some of them installed a shower !!

To date it has been possible to build Eco-Toilet in 4 families

We really hope that more families are encouraged to build their own DIY toilets, maybe watching the neighbor's toilet, they would have the same !!

With warm grettins from the whole project team

Attachments:

afiche_de_sodis_Baos_low_.pdf (PDF)

5 Attachments

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Feb 4, 2016
What's new in Eco-Toilet

By Jeremy Maes | Project leader

What’s new on Eco-Toilet,

Dear supporter,

Building in Bolivia is always a challenge, due the altitude and the distance!

On this first period, we focused on trying to have counterparts of the municipality.

Why is it important?

Counting on counterparts we insure that the project will have a bigger impact and will be sustainable! Because commitment is the key. So far we have been able to count on a small financial help, and some human resource. Nothing "big", but at least, we can see that the municipality is open minded about the Project. Is now a question of time and patience …

Our technical team, has working hard. They had a lot of workshop, explaining the importance of having first of all toilet. Because in rural area, the people use to do it in open fields. And of course they don’t have the washing hands habits!

For question of salubrity, hygiene and health it’s really important that the people realize they have to make a change in their life. It’s not always easy to change our habits. Especially when you, your family, your grandparents and all the community have done it, that way, since like forever.

That was a really big challenge for our team. And next challenge was to explain why to build their own Eco-Toilet.

Why Eco-Toilet?

An Eco-toilet is a toilet that uses no water for evacuation of urine and faeces. The eco toilet system has been developed a lot in recent years.
The treatment of wastewater is a problem that becomes more important every day. Eco toilets do not require water to function and are not connected to the sewage network. They are very effective biologically, and leveraging human waste and promote the domestic economy, saving money and energy.

And why Self-building?

Because if you have to do it yourself, you are going “respect” it better, and take care of what you have built.
And also, you can built it as you want, the style you want …

At the same time, we analyze the quality of the water of the population. Because we want to have a comprehensive project that include also safe drinking water and hygiene.

So far we have located 7 families willing to build their own Eco-Toilet ! We are really excited beginning the construction !!

With warm greetings from the whole project team.

Performing surveys

Water analysis (on the left contaminated)

At community school

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