Start Date: 2006-04-20

Completion Date: 2007-04-20

Technology Used:

The water systems will be Afridev handpumps installed on boreholes. The latrines will be SanPlat slabs over pits with superstructures.

Phases:

The project will be completed within 13 months. Community training in operation, maintenance and finance will take place from the beginning of the project planning and construction. Community contributions will be determined and realized before constructi

Community Organization:

The community requested this intervention, has committed $137.40 in cash contributions and in-kind contributions of all unskilled labour, bricks, sand and quarry, and will be trained in how to sustain the project. The Water Point Committees will represent their communities during the implementation of the water system construction and ensure proper care after completion. They will also be responsible for training other members of their communities on proper management, sustainability and careful use of the water sources as well as ensuring that good hygiene and sanitation procedures are being adhered to. Necessary contacts have already been made with the local authorities and relevant government departments, including water, health and community service departments responsible for the Thyolo District. These government bodies will be responsible for the sustainability of the system soon after the project phases out and the sponsoring organization has finished their involvement in the phased-out project.

Government Interaction:

Ancillary activities:

Hygiene education will be conducted through the PHAST method (Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation) and will focus on the following practices: •Hand-washing techniques •Proper human waste disposal •Bathing and cleaning yourself and children •Latrine use •Latrine cleaning •Latrine upkeep Additionally, the project will focus on capacity building as the community will learn how to manage, maintain use the new water systems, improved sanitation facilities and hygienic practices, thus improving the health and productivity of its members.

Other Issues:

The components of this project that Water For People will measure are the following: Goals of water component: 1. Improved access for participating households (eliminating problems of distance, safety and issues around collection) 2. Water system is in-line with government policy according to distances, technology, organizational structure, quantity and quality. 3. To decrease the amount of time used for collection. 4. To ensure that the community has the financial and technical capacity to sustain the systems. 5. To limit the amount of downtime for breakdowns and repairs. Monitoring and evaluation indicators for water system (to take place annually for 3 years): 1. Evidence of decreased distance to collect water 2. Evidence of reduced time needed to collect water 3. Increased quantities of water collected 4. Improved quality (evidenced through water quality tests completed before the project and 6 months after) 5. Evidence of spare parts, repairs and/or finance 6. Evidence of reducing downtimes and monitoring of length of downtime for 3 years Goals of sanitation component: 1. To ensure latrines are used and managed hygienically. Monitoring and evaluation indicators for sanitation (to take place annually for 3 years): 1. At least 90% follow-up monitoring and evaluation surveys show the following: a. Latrine floors are free of feces and urine b. Immediate environment free of feces (open defecation) c. Squat hole is free of spider webs or impediments to use Monitoring and evaluation indicators for committee trainings (to take place annually for 3 years): 1. Evidence of spare parts available, increased financial management capacity as shown by decreased downtime 2. Availability of water adjacent to latrine for handwashing at time of visit 3. Availability of cleansing agent (ash, soap, dirt) for handwashing adjacent to latrine at time of visit 4. Increased knowledge of appropriate handwashing information (i.e. appropriate times for handwashing and correct ways to handwash)