Community members in Mutoko district showcasing some of the toilets they built.

15th October, 2009: Plan Zimbabwe’s use of community led total sanitation approach to improve hygiene and stop people from defecating out in the open has triggered 110 villages in Mutoko district to build temporary and permanent toilets at each household, without external support.

This emerged during the National Sanitation Week celebrations held at Chimukopa Primary School on 17 September under the theme, “Community led total sanitation: key to a cholera free environment”.

The guest of honour, Provincial Environmental Health Officer for Mashonaland East Mr. Clever Matiringe said, government acknowledges the role played by temporary toilets in curbing diarrheal diseases outbreaks, though ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines remain the benchmark.
“These temporary toilets are the first step on the sanitation ladder and are part of public health and hygiene education. Non existence of human excreta in the open in this area signals a healthy environment,” said Mr Matiringe.

Mutoko district had in the recent past recorded 378 cholera cases and 80 deaths during the cholera outbreak which stretched from September 2008-March 2009.

Working with the community

Plan is promoting the community led total sanitation (CLTS) approach in Mutoko and other seven districts it operates in as part of mobilising communities to take a lead in improving their own environment without external support.

CLTS approach is an entry point in the sanitation continuum for families who find it difficult to build VIP toilets, due to the high construction costs involved. The approach was developed in Bangladesh in 2000 by Kamal Kar.

Under CLTS, the focus is on the behavioural change needed to ensure real and sustainable improvements of the environment instead of the type of toilet structures.
“We congratulate Mutoko for being the first district to record a significant coverage of sanitation in the country after adoption of the community led sanitation process,” said Mr. Matiringe.

Over 5,500 temporary and permanent toilets have been built in Charehwa communities, since the introduction of CLTS in November 2008.

Celebrating achievements

Plan Zimbabwe’s Country Director, Else Kragholm, congratulated the community for embracing the CLTS approach, which she described as key in creating a healthy environment conducive for child development.

A child speaker, Aleta Marufu, from Mutoko Government High School, said poor sanitation affects childrens’ education.
“As children, we should spend more time in school, learning and not in hospital being treated for preventable diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera.  Our health is our right,” said Aleta.

Other partners who supported the successful hosting of the National Sanitation Week include Practical Action, CRS, World Vision, Pump Aid Zimbabwe and various government ministries and departments.