Composting Latrines at the GGM Clinic

From March 16^th – April 2 a 10 member team from Greatest Goal Ministries will be traveling to Sierra Leone.  One of the primary objectives will be a two week household survey of a 6 mile radius surrounding the new Lady Deborah Berewa Hospital in Lakka in conjunction with the local chief and council members.

The survey questions and development of the survey area were created by a MPH (Masters in Public Health) and a PHD research data methodologist. The purpose of the survey will be to identify positive and negative health impacts associated with drinking water and sanitation in the designated  6 mile area.  This will allow for the development and recommendation of appropriate changes to improve the health and prevent disease in the community.

The area has been subdivided into 120 quadrants and these have been randomly placed in order.  A 12 member team composed of USA team volunteers and local interpreters will begin canvassing the areas asking oral questions through person to person interviewing at the selected households.  The survey has been kept small to allow for short answers to avoid reduced response rates.  All questions are closed-ended, multiple choice, ordinal or interval.

A summary of the results of this survey will be reported as well as a more formal document.   Once the results have been compiled the composting latrine concept will be introduced into the community where appropriate.

We are very excited about the information we receive from this survey and how we can then better assist and improve the lives of our new Lakka community.

Links:

• GGM Lady Deborah Berewa Hospital

In October of 2012, the construction of two composting latrines at the GGM clinic site in Murray Town began.  An amputee with construction experience acted as foreman and 4 high school students volunteered their time on the project. 

The original intent was to build the composting latrines at the clinic compound and use it as a teaching tool for the community.  However there was an unexpected development.  Greatest Goal Ministry was given a
new clinic site and clinic building by the office of the First Lady of Sierra Leone in Lakka just outside the capital of Freetown. The previous clinic was closed and moved to the new building delaying completion of the project. 

The 300.00 USD  raised to date and was used to build the framed concrete covers for 4 latrines.  The new plan is to build the latrines at an all-girls school in Freetown.  The head matron is very interested in the project and the school is in great need of additional toilets. 

The structure to enclose the latrines will be made of chicken wire and paper filled plastic bottles. The gathering of those bottles is continuing and many children have picked up litter from around their neighborhoods and stuffing bottles to assist with the project. 

Completion of the project will take place once the additional funds are raised.  Thank you for your assistance in this endeavor.