2014 UNC AA Ekane

CONFERENCE: World Water Week

YEAR: 2014

AUTHORS: Nelson Ekane

TITLE:Community-based Sanitation Programs in Burera District, Rwanda

LINK: VIDEO

ABSTRACT:

This is a case study of a project where PHAST Cooperatives are using urine diversion designs of latrines to fertilize their crops. PhD research shows that the households in the cooperative have a higher disposable income, indicating that the increase in crop yields are assisting PHAST households compared to households with a normal pit latrine.  It has also been found that with an ecosan latrine men take part in the duties of emptying the latrine which also leads to gender equity enabling women to be assisted by their husbands. Although some people have raised considerable funds and even constructed their own homes  others did not fully understand the process needed more support to use the produce without risk. On-going research shows that there were challenges in recycling faeces, as some were using urine before sufficient time to eliminate pathogens.  Therefore there was increased risk associated with the ecosan, if there is not sufficient hygiene education or enough water for proper washing of vegetables.