Project Launch:

Gagnick is a small agricultural community of approximately 1,200 people in Senegal. According to a recent community survey, only 11 households have functional latrines. The community recently built rudimentary hand washing devices called Tippy Taps and placed them in households and public places to encourage proper hand washing practices. This project will build upon these efforts to improve sanitation and hygiene by providing all households with a latrine, as well as the local elementary school and health clinic. In total, 82 improved latrines will be installed in the community. Community members will be educated on germ theory, hand washing, and latrine care, as well as learn how to make soap. The aim of this project is to improve hygiene and sanitation and prevent the spread of disease.

Project Update

To date, the masons built 40 private household latrines as well as two public latrines at the health hut and primary school, providing 324 people access to latrines. Additionally, community members have been educated on germ theory and latrine care, and 38 women were trained in soap-making. Using skills learned from this project, the Parent's Association from the local elementary school recently submitted a proposal to the government to build another latrine at the school. The proposal has since been accepted and the latrine has been built, highlighting how the project has increased the capacity of community members. Over the next few months, the remaining 40 latrines will be built in the neighboring community.

Final Report: 3/14/2017
As a result of this project, 50% of Gagnick has achieved latrine coverage, from a baseline of less than 10%. This increased sanitation coverage will reduce the prevalence of infectious disease and increase quality of life for residents, especially children who are most affected by diarrheal diseases and their complications.

Testimonials

 "Women who are recovering from birth will now have a safe toilet to use at the Case de Sante and that's good. I am also so excited to have a latrine for the first time in my life!" - Yacine, Project Participant

"Not having a latrine means lack of security for the women. This project is good work and helps the community have strength." - Niokhor, Project Participant

"We are one family in this community. This project is the kind of development that helps all of us. It will make families healthier, which makes the whole community healthier. The school will have more access to latrines. The whole community will have increased access through the latrine at the Case de Sante. This project is not just you, it's not just me, it's all of us." - Ibrahima, Project Leader

"We knew what a great opportunity this project was and we were very happy to have been given an opportunity to be part of it. We are very happy to have a latrine. We live along the road to Guinguineo so it's difficult to find a secure and private location to use the bathroom when you don't have a latrine. Now that we have a latrine we also have privacy. I am a health worker too. I know how important latrines are and how bad open defecation is to the community's health. We are very happy!" - Arame, Project Participant