Ecosan Toilets

Where there is an Ecosan school toilet, children arrive at school early to use the facilities. Ecosan gives them a safer and more secure start to life. The early years of childhood are the ideal time for instilling good practices, and good habits. Hand washing reduces diarrhoeal illness by 65%. Without sanitation, children, especially girls, choose not to go to school because of the public shame associated with self soiling or being forced to use nearby public open defecation. In addition, teachers and children avoid drinking, risking dehydration and poor concentration, because there are no toilets.

In many regions in the developing world the majority of homes and communities have no sanitation, and so people defecate in the open in fields and alleys. These areas are havens for parasites and disease. As a result, 60% of people in the developing world have intestinal worms, and 2 in 5 children die before the age of 5 from water and sanitation related illness. Farmers discourage open defecation in their fields, by chasing and beating children. Children can also fall victim to men who will take advantage of their age and innocence, from children being watched, to reports of boys and girls being attacked by sexual predators.

The Ecosan toilets separate the urine and the solid matter, and the urine can be safely used, diluted along with the washing water, as a natural fertiliser in the banana/vegetable garden. Banana trees and tomatoes have a higher yield when fertilised with urine, due to the high levels of potassium, nitrogen and phosphorous. The compost creates a rich humus, which binds soil and produces extra nutrients. Thus Ecosan also helps enhance a closer understanding of agriculture and nature.

In summary, an Ecosan school sanitation block not only reduces the health and safety problems associated with open defecation, it positively encourages better access and quality of education, and assists in the sustainable growth of food crops.