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Latrines Project in Ghana
This is a project to build two 10-stall latrines in a fishing village on the coast of Ghana. The approximately 1,000 residents of the community depend solely on fishing and coconut farming for their livelihood. They live, work and play in an extremely unsanitary environment, with a resulting high incidence of intestinal disease.
Currently the beach is used as the latrine. As a result, spots of human excreta can be seen all around the seashores. On any given day, one finds vultures and flies feeding on the human waste, as well as children playing and fishermen working in the same beach area.
Through community meetings the village decided to build two 10- stall latrines, one on each side of the community. This will lead to a sanitary work area for the fishermen and a serene playing area for the children, and will serve to prevent the spread of disease.
The community will construct the latrines, and will provide 56% of the total cost of the project. After completion, the community will charge a small fee for the use of the latrines, and the money collected will go to the maintenance of the facilities.
The project will be directed by Peace Corps Volunteer A. Herring, who will ensure that the project is completed on schedule and within budget.
Ghana was the first country in the world to welcome Peace Corps Volunteers, with the first group arriving in 1961. Since that time, more than 3,700 Volunteers have served there.
This project uses technology that is appropriate to the needs of the community. It results in the rapid elimination of a critical public health problem. It demonstrates a technology that can be replicated elsewhere. Finally, the collection of a maintenance fee from the users guarantees sustainability.
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