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Pit Latrine Project Proposal

Introduction

Hon. Wilson Kajwenje, a Member of Parliament in Uganda, has requested Speakers for Africa's assistance to address a critical sanitation challenge in his district of Kiruhua. Five schools surrounding the town of Rushere in Western Uganda, each serving approximately 300-400 students, face dire conditions due to collapsed pit latrines. Without proper facilities, students are forced to relieve themselves in nearby bushes or open fields, exposing them to health risks, indignity, and barriers to education. Health and sanitation in Uganda need to be a top concern.

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Problem: Sanitation 

Addressing waterborne diseases (which globally kill over 1,000 children under five each day) is crucial for health and sustainable development. In Uganda, challenges like high pit-emptying costs, poor sanitation maintenance, groundwater contamination, and limited hygiene awareness lead to open defecation, particularly in rural areas like Kiruhua, Uganda.

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Solution: Construction

Speakers for Africa seeks funding to construct a six-stall (six stance), gender-sensitive pit latrine and expand hand-washing facilities at a school in the Kiruhua District of Western Uganda. This WASH project will enhance sanitation, reduce the risk of disease outbreaks like cholera, and promote better health and a sustainable environment for the community.

We estimate our cost at $6,433.

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Impact: Life Saving

Improving sanitation infrastructure is vital for reducing disease, enhancing public health, and creating a sustainable environment. This project will not only save lives but also promote long-term community well-being and development. The introduction of bio-toilets with tiger worms presents an effective solution to human waste management for 300-400 students.

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Background

Speakers for Africa is deeply committed to constructing pit latrines for schools in Uganda, recognizing the critical need for improved sanitation. We have already secured government approval, reliable contractors, and access to affordable building materials, ensuring this project is both practical and cost-effective. Drawing from our observations of other latrine projects, we are applying best practices to guarantee success.

 

Decades of building durable relationships in the country allow us to negotiate fair prices and avoid common problems faced by some other nonprofits. With a proven reputation for delivering on promises, we ensure donors’ contributions are maximized and responsibly allocated. We provide live-streamed updates to show exactly how donations are making a difference, fostering trust and transparency throughout the process.

Executive Summary

In Uganda, inadequate sanitation remains a critical public health challenge, particularly in remote areas such as Kiruhua District in Western Uganda. Poor access to proper facilities contributes to the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, which affects children and vulnerable populations. 

 

To address these issues through the implementation of a WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) project, Speakers for Africa proposes the construction of a six (6) stance, gender-sensitive, pit latrine at one of five schools near Rushere, Kiruhua District, Uganda. The project aims to enhance hygiene, reduce disease outbreaks and promote a healthier and safer learning environment for students and staff.

 

The introduction of bio-toilets with tiger worms presents an effective solution to human waste management by improving sanitation and reducing the need for a latrine to be emptied. The worms convert the waste into vermicompost, a nutrient-rich humus that can be used in agriculture.

 

With a funding goal of $6,433, this initiative will provide sustainable sanitation infrastructure, expand hand-washing facilities and promote hygiene education. We are requesting $500 - $1,000 from your club toward our goal.  ​

 

We estimate the project taking 45-60 days to complete. (See timeline below)

Problem Statement

Each of the five schools under consideration is grappling with the same dire problem: their latrines are overflowing or have collapsed, leaving students without safe and sanitary facilities. Immediate intervention is essential to restore proper sanitation and ensure a safe learning environment for these children.

 

The entire country of Uganda faces significant sanitation challenges, with 75% of urban residents, including schools, relying on poorly constructed pit latrines.

 

  • Common issues include:

  • Collapsed or poorly maintained latrines.

  • Open defecation due to inadequate facilities.

  • Contamination of groundwater from improperly constructed pits.

  • High costs of emptying latrines.

  • Limited hygiene education and practices.

  • Discovery of rocks and hidden boulders, resulting in significantly increased cost.

 

At each school, 300-400 students currently share a single dilapidated latrine, creating unsafe conditions that exacerbate waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea. Without intervention, these challenges will continue to harm the health, dignity, and educational outcomes of students. We will select a single school for the pilot project, with the other school latrines to follow as funds become available.​​

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Project Goals and Objectives

Goal: To improve sanitation and hygiene at schools in the Kiruhua District, Western Uganda.

  • Construct a six-stall pit latrine with separate compartments for boys and girls, ensuring privacy and dignity.

  • Introduce bio-toilets with worms, also known as tiger worm toilets or vermifilter toilets.

  • Expand hand-washing facilities to accommodate the school’s population.

  • Educate students and staff on hygiene and the proper use and maintenance of the latrines, including WASH training. Foster long-term health improvements and reduce the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks.

  • Establish a sustainable legacy fund to cover the ongoing costs of safely emptying and treating human waste from the pit latrines. This fund will ensure long-term sanitation maintenance, protect public health, and uphold the effectiveness of the infrastructure for years to come.

Our ultimate goal is to complete all five latrine projects in Kirurah District by 2026. ​​​​​​​​

Project Activities

  1. Scout location

  2. Survey and assess the school grounds for construction suitability. Draft feasibility assessment. 

  3. Consult the water board personnel about availability of water in the area.

  4. Clear and level the selected site.

  5. Excavate the pit.

  6. Build a two-compartment, six-stall (six-stance) latrine structure with ventilation and pump access.

  7. Ensure the design meets environmental and safety standards to prevent groundwater contamination.

  8. Install multiple hand-washing stations near the latrines.

  9. Equip facilities with soap dispensers and water tanks.

  10. Conduct workshops for students and staff on WASH practices.

  11. Provide training on proper latrine maintenance to ensure sustainability.

  12. Commemorate with a sign from our sponsors.

Budget

Expected Outcomes

  • Access to safe and hygienic sanitation facilities for over 300 students and staff.

  • Reduced risk of disease outbreaks such as cholera and diarrhea.

  • Increased awareness and adoption of hygiene practices among the school community.

  • A healthier, more dignified learning environment for students.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Speakers for Africa will monitor progress through:

  • Regular site visits during construction.

  • Feedback from students, teachers, and parents on the facility's impact.

  • Annual evaluations of maintenance practices and health outcomes at the school.

  • Create a legacy fund to pay for the removal and treatment of the waste. We will set aside $100 each year for five years to pay for the sewage truck. 

Conclusion

Investing in Ugandan schools’ sanitation infrastructure will better lives by improving health, dignity, and educational opportunities. With your support, Speakers for Africa can deliver sustainable solutions to address the pressing sanitation needs of the Kiruhua District, Western Uganda.

 

We humbly request your partnership in making this vision a reality. 

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Project Timeline

Human waste is best managed by removal and treatment, but often people cannot afford it. Therefore, many latrines access a cheaper and high-risk method, allowing liquid to percolate back into the soil. Our latrines would be properly lined and airtight, ensuring that the groundwater is protected.

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Bio-Toilets and Removal

Bio-toilets with a tiger worm system, paired with efficient sewage removal and treatment processes, offers an optimal solution for managing human waste cost-effectively and sustainably.

Five locations in need of a new latrine. 

Sedes SAPIENTIA

Rushere Town Council

Karuoko Primary School

Kikatsi Subcounty

Mitooma Primary School

Kenshunga Subcounty

Rwakobo Primary School

Akayanja Sub

Kinoni Community High School

Kinoni Subcounty

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