Lack of sanitation is one of the biggest killers of children in the developing world.  It is estimated that 74% of all deaths in Cambodia come from waterborne diseases, a situation that could be improved through better sanitary conditions and education. 

In order to address the issue of bad sanitation and the complete lack of toilets in our target villages we have begun a toilet and sanitation project.

The idea for the project originated from the results of an informal survey conducted by Helping Hands in the village of L’berk towards the end of 2008.  It was discovered that there were NO toilet facilities in the village at all.  People would just ‘go’ anywhere convenient and cover up their waste with sand or leaves, a practice termed 'open defecation'.  Open defecation is one of the main causes of contaminated drinking water and consequent numerous health problems. 

Furthermore, it became apparent that there was practically no knowledge of basic health and hygiene concepts and practices among the village population.  We discovered that initially many villagers needed to be convinced that the "old ways", for example, just going behind the nearest bush, carries significant health risks for them and their families.  We also found there were some issues of entrenched superstitions and taboos that needed to be countered, while at the same time being sensitive to traditional and cultural beliefs.  For example, some people thought that if their child got sick it was because the child had misbehaved and was being punished by the ancestors.  They didn't equate poor sanitation and hygiene practices with ill health.

Groups of villagers participate in a six lesson health and hygiene training course and if they successfully complete the course we provide the necessary materials to enable them to build a toilet (they are expected to do the labour themselves).  Over the six lessons they are taught the basics of sanitation and hygiene such as, why they should drink clean water, what sicknesses are caused by dirty water and poor sanitation, the importance of washing their hands.  Thea, our Medical Coordinator, runs the courses.

After much research and consultation with other organisations and the villagers the ‘pour-flush squat toilet’ was chosen as the most suitable design. This type of toilet needs to be flushed manually by pouring in a bucket of water after each use. It is not connected to public sewers (as they are non-existent) or a septic tank; the waste is captured in a concrete pipe.  Once that fills up it is redirected to a second concrete pipe.  When full, the concrete pipes can be emptied and the contents can be used as fertiliser for fruit trees located at a safe distance from drinking water sources. The toilets are also built at a safe distance from wells to avoid contamination of drinking water.

 

Families have the option to use their own funds to further enhance the appearance of their toilet if they wish to do so (for example, by building brick or concrete walls instead of iron).  The majority of participants do decide to use some of their own money in order to make their toilet nicer. 

HHC organises for the building materials to be delivered to the village and the villagers are responsible for the construction of the toilets.  Helping Hands closely monitors the construction to ensure the toilets are being built in accordance with the approved design.

Our aim is to eventually provide every household in each of the villages we work in with a toilet.

 

 

When asked how she felt about her new toilet the woman in the photo on the left told us that she now has a greater sense of personal safety and security.  In the past, she would pray to the gods every night in the hope that she wouldn't have to go to the toilet.  They had no bushes around their house so if they needed to go to the toilet it would mean walking quite a distance in pitch darkness.