Sanitation: Latrine Design & Construction

Lifewater’s Sanitation Program

The presence of sanitation facilities is something often taken for granted, yet a staggering 2.5 billion people still do not have access to even a simple pit latrine. The consequences of this situation are manifested in the form of disease, lack of education, endangerment of women, poor economy, and loss of dignity. As a key component to the prevention of diarrheal diseases, sanitation has a direct effect on the health and well-being of individuals. Improved sanitation, such as a properly maintained and operated pit latrine, can reduce illnesses and deaths caused by diarrhea and other sanitation-related diseases. Additional results of improved sanitation are increased school attendance, especially for girls, improved economy where people are healthy and able to work, and the dignity that comes from using a safe, hygienic toilet.

Lifewater’s Sanitation program focuses on the implementation elements of latrine projects. The Latrine Design and Construction course teaches partners to work with communities to construct culturally appropriate latrines.

Lessons for these courses have been developed using participatory community development principles and are adapted to meet the context of each community. Lifewater trains in-country partners to help communities eliminate open defecation. Lifewater uses techniques and resources for the trainings that can be easily transferred and maintained in different cultures and locales, allowing the knowledge to spread quickly.

Participatory Training, the technique used to teach the lessons, allows people to identify their own problems and develop their own solutions that work best for their culture and resources. Using pictures, skits, brainstorming sessions, and questions, community members are empowered as they engage in these activities. In the process, they discover answers for themselves utilizing their own resources and talents. The goal is for whole communities to understand and implement good hygiene and sanitation behaviors, and as a result, fight water-related diseases more effectively. With better health, the community experiences greater productivity and a longer lifespan.

This program is implemented by Lifewater’s volunteer field trainers and staff for the purpose of building the capacity of our national partners. For information on US-based training opportunities in this program area, see our Stateside Training section.

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