Celebrating sanitation!

Good News!

“This month (July), Malawi has declared the end of the country's worst cholera outbreak in living memory, which began in March 2022 and killed nearly 2,000 people. However, health experts are concerned that an outbreak could return if the country doesn’t improve sanitation.

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So this month, we’ve begun to construct another 100 toilet units in 7 villages. These will enable over 350 people, from the poorest households, not to have to use open fields for their toileting needs, with all the health risks, environmental hazards and lack of privacy.

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Last year’s cyclone destroyed so many latrines so after careful assessment, the process began with digging 3m-deep pits, covering with strong flooring, then constructing bamboo framed, plastic-lined, thatched shelters for privacy.

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Construction of these units is an invaluable contribution to the health and hygiene of the whole area.  Grass for the roof and sides is provided by the beneficiary as their contribution, and each unit should last for several years. Some of the shelters will eventually be replaced with a basic raw-brick structure by the grateful families involved, but the important thing is, right now, they have access to a private facility.

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90% are due to be finished by the end of the month and the whole project completed by mid-August.

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