How FINISH Mondial through its financial inclusion pillar facilitated sanitation Loans and Transformed Sanitation coverage In Rorya District.
Tuesday, 28 January, 2025
Salum Ali, a health officer in Rorya District, has witnessed a remarkable transformation in sanitation thanks to the FINISH Mondial project, which began in our district towards the end of 2021. The project’s primary goal is to enhance the availability and quality of household toilets, and its impact has been profound.
Initially, FINISH Mondial’s efforts focused on 45 villages within our council. The project started by training 45 local artisans in two innovative toilet technologies: the Double Ventilated Improved Pit (DVIP)_ dry toilet and the leach pit water-based toilet. These artisans received both theoretical instruction and hands-on experience in building model toilets, which demonstrated cost-effective and high-quality sanitation solutions.
This practical training not only reduced construction costs but also mitigated risks such as groundwater contamination from overly deep pits, he said. One significant challenge we faced was changing the community’s perception of toilet construction. Many households previously believed that deeper pits would ensure longer-lasting toilets, leading to unnecessary expense and environmental risk. Through FINISH Mondial’s training, artisans learned that a seven-foot depth is adequate and that toilets with dual sections can be used efficiently and even produce fertilizer to be used localy.
The project also involved training Community Health Workers (CHWs) on community mobilization and inclusivity. This new approach emphasized involving entire families in discussions about toilet construction, ensuring that women and mothers—who are often most affected by inadequate sanitation are also considered in the planning process. This inclusive strategy proved effective, as it encouraged families to build quality toilets more readily. We extended our training and implementation to additional villages, increasing the number of participating communities from 45 to 59.This expansion allowed us to build on initial successes and reach even more households.
The results have been impressive. When the project began, 7.4% of households in our council lacked toilets, relying on open fields or bushes. Through targeted community engagement and practical support, we reduced this number from 3,874 households (7.4%) to 1,993 (2.8%). Furthermore, the percentage of households with quality toilets increased from 67% to 75%, and the number of households with safely managed sanitation grew from 11,000 to 15,444 as of June 2024.
Handwashing facilities have also seen a significant improvement. Initially, around 4,981 households had access to handwashing stations with running water. This number has now increased to 15,000 enhancing hygiene practices across the district.
A notable achievement of the project is the attainment of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status for 10 villages. This milestone reflects the project’s success in promoting environmental cleanliness and proper sanitation. None of the village where FM operated had been declared ODF.
Additionally, the project’s loan component has been crucial for low-income households. Approximately 397 households received loans totaling over 270 million Tanzanian shillings. These loans, with low-interest rates and flexible repayment options, have enabled many to build or improve their toilets despite financial constraints.
In summary, the FINISH Mondial project has been transformative for Rorya District. The project’s innovative approach, combined with community involvement and financial support, has significantly improved sanitation standards. As we look to the future, we are optimistic that continued support will help us achieve Goal 6.2 by 2030, ensuring that all households have access to quality toilets and handwashing facilities.
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