BARKA will be digging 2 gender-specific composting toilets with handwashing facilities and beginning UNICEF’s WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) program at the local school on its next trip to Tantiaka (“La Petite”) as part of an initial water, sanitation, hygiene project with the village.

Testimonial

“What we are trying to do in Burkina Faso is not bring in expensive old conventional technologies but to tread a new path. We have an opportunity to create an entirely new paradigm, a new system where we can create sustainability. In Burkina Faso there is very little infrastructure so when we create a system to develop ways to provide clean drinking water and waste water treatment we do so in a way that does not create the problems we’re facing here in the West.”

John DiTuro, Research Scientist and Technical Advisor to BARKA Foundation and CEO, Aquadynamic Solutions

In La Petite, there are generally no latrines or any form of improved sanitation facilities. In order to defecate, villagers must walk, bike or run to the outskirts of the village. Without toilet paper, people use their left hand to clean themselves (the right hand is used for eating and shaking hands as when greeting someone). Without soap, hands are generally washed only with water.

There are however deeply entrenched social beliefs and customs in this regard. For instance, a commonly held belief is washing one’s hands with soap, will cause money to slide through them. Therefore, creating positive change runs up against many social, cultural and religious obstacles. The methodology of how BARKA handles these changes to develop new awareness in La Petite is critical to acceptance and success.

Education is key as basic hygiene practices help reduce the spread of disease. Simple things, such as handwashing with soap can save lives by reducing instances of diarrhoea.

Water, sanitation and hygiene are intricately linked. If sanitation is not handled properly there is a danger of physically contaminating the underground or above ground water supply. Therefore it is necessary to work with trained experts to determine proper placement of water points and sanitation facilities.

Composting toilets or eco-san is linked to agricultural use as excreta (humanure) and urine are used as a fertilizer on crops, plants and trees. This is a complex issue which BARKA will address in subsequent phases of work with La Petite.

For more information on the sustainable sanitation and the MDGs, see the notes and presentations of Finland’s Dry Toilet Conference.