Imagine that you are camping, out in the wilderness. You don’t have a rest room, so you practice ‘open defecation’….go dig a small hole, do your business, cover it up, and walk away. That works for you in the wilderness, and that worked for generations in Laos when population density was low. Open defecation is common practice still for over half of the rural population in Laos. For the poor, it is even higher. Most poor families still practice open defecation.
Even though population density has increased and villages have more people than ever, this ancient traditional practice of going to the forest continues, causing community disease, child stunting, and other negative impacts on health.
However, with training, trust, and understanding, this practice can change. TerraCare’s program of bringing subsidized water filters to the most needy families in southern Laos also includes 6 trainings with each family on health and wellness, including the dangers of open defecation, encouragement to change, and solutions: build a dry pit latrine.
Dry pit latrines are a simple concept, and the first step in changing behavior and negative outcomes from open defecation. Sometimes called “widow’s toilets,” these latrines are simple to build, use only local materials, and can be built by anyone with simple gardening tools. A hole is dug: 0.5 meter wide, 1 meter deep. Over the hole, a platform is built. And finally, a small building is built around the hole. After use, a person drops ashes or dirt into the hole to cover the excreta and reduce insects, as well as decrease odor. After the hole is two thirds’ full, the family can dig a second hole, move the platform and building, and plant a tree in the first hole. The excreta, which used to be a health problem, is now a benefit and fertilizer for the new tree.
Mr. Sojan and his wife Kho have 5 children. They are subsistence farmers, using their small amount of land to grow food and crops for their family’s needs. When TerraCare came to their village and gave trainings about clean water and improved health practices, Sojan was intrigued. He wanted better for his family, but didn’t have the knowledge and tools for change. First, Sojan got a subsidized filter for his family and was proud to have clean water in his home for their needs. Through the trainings, he realized that he could also take steps to improve his family’s health by building a dry pit latrine. In 2 days, with support and guidance from the TerraCare trainer, Sojan and his family built a dry pit latrine from bamboo. Now he and his family have improved health practices, stopped open defecation and look forward to a better quality of life with less illness and improved health. Mr. Sojan said, “The TerraCare trainer has taught me how to improve my family’s life. Now we will be healthier. I always want to have a toilet for my family’s use.”
TerraCare is dedicated to improving lives of the most vulnerable in southern Laos. Clean water through subsidized filters, and now improved sanitation practices through dry pit latrines are changing people’s lives. Please donate today! And thank you for your support in making this transformation possible. Together, we can help people reach their goals to improve their own lives!
