Improved sanitation transforms the community environment in Gadighat Sukumari Tole, Ward 6, Itahari
Our week in Nepal to see WaterAid's work started with a visit to a project completed in March 2011, which was implemented by our local partner organisation, Lumanti.
After a one hour flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar, and a 30 minute car journey to the small town of Itahari, we arrived in Ward 6 of Itahari where we visited a number of houses to see the household tap stands and latrines constructed through the project.
This community was declared 'open defecation free' after latrine access increased from 35% to 100% during the project's lifetime, and the practice of defecating in the fields and on the roadside was ended through a combination of improved latrine use and increased awareness about the associated health risks.
Laxmi, who is 18 (pictured), explained the changes she saw in her street.
“Before,
it was all dirty. We felt embarrassed and couldn’t even walk like this. We
encourage people in sanitation every Saturday, like how to make the toilets
clean and keep them clean [with Harpic and a toilet brush]. When I saw the dirt at the roadside, I volunteered
to clean every Saturday with my sisters and the other volunteers. As a family
we made groups to improve sanitation.” Over two years after the end of this project, the volunteers continue to clean their street, latrines and the surrounding environment every Saturday, calling on one person from each house to come out and help.
“Now we feel like we should contribute [to making changes in our town]. I feel the change and am surprised by the change.”
Geeta (in the left of the photo), a Board member of the Water Users Association.
“It’s not just the municipality, we can now go to the district level! We have been to the Local Development Officer about open defecation and education. We can help women who are being tortured to get justice.”
Kalawati (in the right of the photo), Chairperson of Sungari Women’s Savings and Credit Group.
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