By Sophie Birkett | Head of Operations
Dear Supporter,
Santhom Colony is located in the centre of Cochin; it is home to over 400 people, most of who are living below the poverty line of $1.25 a day (according to the UN).
We (GVI India) believe eco-toilets are necessary in Santhom due to assessed poor hygiene, a proneness to flooding and general risks to health from unsuitable sanitary conditions and proximity to waste deposits ( often in a canal running behind the houses); eco toilets offer an ecological and sustainable way to disposing of waste through a cyclic programme that reduces risk of diseases, bacterial contamination and vector carrying insects such as mosquitoes as well as allowing waste to decompose without direct human contact or being put into the canal.
Over a number of months, we have introduced the concept of eco-toilets, their benefits and uses through community presentations, meetings, media such as booklets and question and answer sessions. Gradually, the residents have warmed to the idea, recognising the advantages it confers upon them. We are still at the stages of getting the eco-toilet to become a part of daily life; this is typically a long process and we are currently looking to pilot the concept within several families who will then take part in an evaluation process which may involve remodelling or changes being made to the cycle/toilet prototypes.
Our volunteers have made the first three prototypes from plywood, coating it in a weather resistant paint to protect from monsoon conditions. The toilets are sturdy, attractive and damp proof. Each comes with a bucket to collect the organic deposits, and a bin made from tyres to hold the organic nature that is used as part of the cycle to help bio-degradation.
With these eco-toilets we aim to increase sanitation, hygiene and health as well as creating compost for an eco-garden. We believe that by helping to mitigate infection and disease, we will be providing the residents of Santhom with a better quality of life.
Thank you for supporting this project in it's early stages.
All the best
GVI India
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