Dear Alisa,

I agree that community engagement is the right way to go. I think it really has to be well thought of before rollout and obviously given the right amount of time as well. Often times we go wrong when the community engagement is not done properly and the buy-in is not guaranteed.

I have worked closely with communities in Zambia for a long time and the culture of the target population also has a lot to do with how people receive the messages and ultimately change their behavior or perceptions. Most of it has to do with how they relate with/ to the message bearers and the message and most importantly how much the message bearer understands and resonates with the target population.

On the other hand, i think it is important that all necessary solutions are in place to ensure that the intervention is sustainable. i.e promoting container-based solutions in the absence of treatment and reuse options is usually behind the failure. Once again kudos for the successes! and looking forward to the videos.

Chaiwe 

Hi Chaiwe,

Sorry for the slow reply. GiveLove is a skills training organization that specializes in humanure and CBS approaches. We really embed with the community to encourage peer-to-peer and hands-on learning. People love the toilets. Ill
try to upload a link to a video shortly.

You can contact me directly: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I'll share some more videos and photos if you're interested.

As soon as Covid gets under control we will resume trainings. Our organization  is based out of California with additional team members in Haiti, Belgium, Portugal and Australia. 

Warm regards,

Alisa

Dear Alisa,

Container-based sanitation has proved challenging to roll out here in Zambia. It is especially interesting to learn about successes in neighbouring countries like Kenya, Uganda and in part South Africa and others... How does your project bridge issues of acceptance? The same question holds for Humanure.

I hope that the technical trainings in compost sanitation are on course for February 2021 with the second wave of COVID on our toes.

Regards,
Chaiwe

Thanks for sharing the work of the Ghetto Research Lab. GiveLove.org has been working with GRL and other groups in the community since March 2019 to provide public compost toilets (Container-based Sanitation with composting) and household toilets to vulnerable households (adult polio survivors).

Our system is based on the Humanure Approach. People can contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more about this initiative and visit the projects in Kyebando and Kamwokya. 

We hope to scale up technical trainings in compost sanitation in February 2021. Our program was put on hold mid-March due to the Covid-19 lockdowns. 

Dear Machrine,

It is amazing and important to have young innovators of school-going age within the sector. Young innovators are the future developers and can help come up with fresh ideas which contribute to the already existing efforts to improve sanitation.

The story you have shared also reminds us of a similar innovation by a 9year old boy in Kenya. The hands-free handwashing facility was made to help in the prevention of the spread of COVID 19 and other communicable diseases. The young boy’s innovation received so much recognition and he received a Presidential award for his innovation. Read more here:  www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-africa-52898797

In Zambia children from Kachele Trust School also expressed their creativity and knowledge about Covid-19 and one of the pupils made hand sanitizer as a COVID 19 preventive measure. Read more here:  forum.susana.org/covid-19-corona-virus-p...school-lusaka-zambia

Regards,
Chaiwe

Dear SuSanA colleagues, 

Ahead of the Global Handwashing day this Thursday, i am excited to share with you some interesting stories that show actions being taken in different articles to promote 'Hand Hygiene for all.

Starting in Uganda where the Ghetto Research Lab is doing such an amazing job through innovative designs to promote hand hygiene in the informal settlement of Kamwokya, a city suburb in Uganda.  

According to the article authored by Sheila Nduhukire, correspondent of WSSCC now transitioning into the Sanitation and Hygiene Fund, each handwashing station costs approximately US$13 to make, using local materials, and they are then distributed free of charge to all Kampala slums. To date, the organization has produced 200 handwashing stations, which has provided employment for about 30 youth.

A series of feature stories to mark this year’s Global Handwashing Day on 15 October begins with their “smart innovation.”

Read more here  

Share your thoughts and let us know what you think

Regards, 
Machrine Birungi
Social Media analyst