Project: Improved Community Sanitation, Hygiene and Residue Disposal

in Santa Rosa and San Roman, Belize

Project Status: Finished in 2018

Project Results

Video of project results and achievements.

The German Cooperation - through the Embassy of Germany in Guatemala - funded the "Improved Community Sanitation, Hygiene and Residue Disposal in Santa Rosa and San Roman, Belize" project implemented from June 2018 to December 2018.

The project built 12 waterless-double-chamber composting toilets that:

are built build 100% above ground.
create compost or fertilizer from the decomposed toilet contents.
do not use water or flush.
have 2 toilet rooms and 2 composting chambers.

Ten toilets were built in different households and two at community centers.

As the result of the project:

10 women and 54 relatives living in the same household in Santa Rosa and San Roman villages in Stann Creek district:

Improved their toilet facilities.
Learnt how to build and maintain composting toilets.
Improved personal hygiene and hand-washing awareness.
Added 10 fruit trees to their backyards.

100% of toilet owners reported satisfaction, feeling safer and more dignified with their new toilet facilities.

2,915 residents from the targeted villages gained access the toilets installed in each community center and 25 trees were added to each property.

145 students and 10 teachers increased personal hygiene and hand washing awareness with education sessions held at the local school.
15,000 people at the local and national level were reached with 18 post and videos uploaded in social media.

Publications

Teaching materials were created by the project and are available for use:

Construction and maintenance guidelines for waterless-double-chamber composting toilets.

Educational poster

on hand-washing tips.

Project photos and videos

View Photo Album

Project Objectives

Increase access to improved sanitation and adequate hygiene and residue disposal practices in San Roman and Santa Rosa villages in Stann Creek district, Belize.

Improve awareness and knowledge of adequate hygiene and residue disposal practices at a national level.

Synergies

During project implementation, HPPB collaborated with:

Village Councils
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Education (schools in the area)
Local Businesses

Context

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every US$ 1.00 invested in sanitation brings US$ 5.50 in returns from lower health related expenses, more productivity and fewer premature deaths.

Improved sanitation can also reduce water scarcity and water contamination, while improving safety and hygiene. This is particularly true for girls and women, who often must walk long distances to access restrooms or are forced to use unimproved sanitation facilities.

For the poorest of the poor, dry composting toilets also represent significant savings on water and fertilizer related costs and - at an environmental level - it represents more than 3.5 gallons of water saved per toilet flush and less damages caused by chemical fertilizers.

To date, HPPB - together with several participants of the Child Aid and Community Development Project - has built 200+ latrines that benefit more than 1.000 people in 30 of the poorest communities in the country.