Scouting for new locations for Slum Sanitation

One of the activities that we have been involved in this past week has been in looking into a new location that we can set up the sanitation model. However, one of the learning points that we have come to understand with our past activities is that each area may have different considerations and circumstances that need to first be understood and then planned for.

The area in question has inadequate number of sanitation facilities in terms of the number of available toilets versus the population of the area. Open defecation is a major issue as there are several reported instances of people defecating in the open. Most of the people who defecate in the open are men who do it in the open space near the community housings, usually in the early morning or late evening when the toilets are not open. Women also participate in this act usually in the very early morning because they have no alternative. Such behavior is undignified to the women and can give rise to health issues. It also leads to the area being unsightly especially during the late evening and early morning to the other residents not to mention the foul odour it brings about.

With this situation, we are looking to work with the Corporator of the area in implementing a model where we can provide additional toilets for the residents as well as equip an entrepreneur from the community to take it up as a business opportunity. Some of the differences from this area and the other areas we are currently working on is their willingness to pay for the service is higher than in the other areas and factors they consider are accessibility to the service, availability of light and provision of water and clean facilities. we also need to evaluate whether or not there is a need to have additional sanitation awareness campaigns in the area. Designing for this area is human centered and entirely dependent on the community and needs that they have.

This blog is one in a series that documents the journey of Saraplast in setting up an inclusive slum sanitation venture. To read more blogs in this series, click here.