Habitat for Humanity-Malawi Transforms Lives through Improved Sanitation Efforts
TA Masumbankhunda has long been known for its high rates of open defecation and the presence of less durable latrines that easily collapse during the rainy season.
Lilongwe, Malawi - In a bid to eradicate rampant open defecation and improve sanitation in TA Masumbankhunda in Lilongwe district, the non-governmental organization Habitat for Humanity-Malawi (HfHM) has successfully constructed 210 corbelled and ecological latrines, writes Mustafa Makumba.
The project, titled "Empowering Rural Communities in the Lilongwe District of Malawi to achieve Better Health and Quality of Life through Sustainable WASH Practices," has brought positive transformation to the lives of at least 6,223 beneficiaries.
TA Masumbankhunda has long been known for its high rates of open defecation and the presence of less durable latrines that easily collapse during the rainy season.
To address this issue, HfHM partnered with the Centre of Excellence in Water and Sanitation at Mzuzu University to provide support in capacity building and design.
The corbelled latrine, locally known as "Chimbudzi Cha Zaka Zaka," and the ecologic latrine, popularly known as Fossa alterna, have proven to be sustainable, affordable, and low-cost solutions that can withstand loose soils, ensuring resilience during the rainy season.
Tryness Makiyi, a water and sanitation and health (WASH) officer, emphasized the significance of this development, stating, "The latrine designs are sustainable, affordable, low-cost, and can withstand loose soils ensuring resilience during the rainy season."
The improved sanitation facilities have not only addressed the health concerns of the community but have also contributed to broader economic growth.
Chidemba Saulosi, an 82-year-old resident of Chitsulo village, expressed gratitude for the new latrines, highlighting the positive impact they have had on sanitation in the area.
Due to the nature of the soil, constructing a pit latrine that could withstand harsh climatic conditions was a challenge for Saulosi and many others.
He shared, "We used to relieve ourselves in the nearby bushes due to lack of proper toilet facilities. This worsened our already dilapidated health conditions subjecting us to various diseases."
Linde Gamaliyele, another resident from the same village, praised the efforts of HfHM, stating, "Our area is now a model to many societies in Malawi in terms of sanitation and hygiene thanks to HfHM."
The improved latrines have transformed the area into an open-defecation-free zone, significantly enhancing sanitation practices.
In addition to the latrine construction, HfHM also installed 16 new boreholes and rehabilitated others in T/A Masumbankhunda as part of their ongoing efforts to combat hygiene-related diseases.
The project was implemented by HfHM in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Germany (HFHG) and received funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ).
Habitat for Humanity Malawi (HFHM), a non-profit Christian organization affiliated with Habitat for Humanity International, has been actively involved in addressing housing challenges in Malawi since its establishment in 1986.
With a focus on vulnerable groups, water, sanitation, and hygiene, disaster risk reduction and response, informal vocational training, and security of land tenure, HFHM has helped over 41,000 families gain access to decent housing, providing them with a path out of poverty.