Sanitation
According to the World Health Organization, over 2.5 billion people lack access to improved sanitation facilities and over 1.2 billion people practice open defecation. One of the most frequent deaths of children under the age of five is related to diarrhoeal diseases. Lacking access to improved sanitation facilities, the environment becomes much more contaminated and potentially dangerous to health. Moreover, it is extremely unhealthy for women who often wait until it is dark to relieve themselves and abstain from drinking liquids during the heat of the day causing dehydration and potential infections.
Introducing appropriate sanitation into a home allows for discussion on the transmission of diseases and the importance of hygiene. Hand washing, food preparation and changing diapers are emphasized as key areas of improvement.
Composting Latrines
The composting latrine is an odourless toilet that does not contaminate the underground water system where many rural Nicaraguan families take their drinking water. So it is both beneficial for a family and for the environment. Educational material is presented to the family and they are taught about maintenance of their new bathroom.
Building a composting latrine is a very detailed process and Project Nicaragua pays a local Nicaraguan to build the bathrooms in the rural villages. Franklin Pavon, the bathroom worker, also ensures proper maintenance and adequate upkeep in each beneficiary household. He helps to educate and inform about the importance of hand washing.
Different from a traditional pit latrine, the composting latrine is higher as it sits on top of the compost therefore requiring stairs to enter. All of the bathroom is above the ground and rests on a constructed platform to ensure stability during the rainy season. Households without a traditional pit latrine are given priority and Project Nicaragua works with five local communities who have identified the need for improved sanitation facilities.