In a remarkable display of community collaboration and dedication to improving public health, the South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO), in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, has successfully established and trained a Toilet Committee in Ogrute, Igboeze North LGA. This initiative marks a significant step forward in promoting hygiene behavioral change and improved sanitation practices within the community.
Day 1: Building the Foundation
The first day of the event commenced with a crucial meeting involving key community stakeholders, including the Igwe of Ogrute, the LGA Chairman, and Market Executives. The meeting, facilitated by the State Team Lead (STL) of WaterAid, focused on the handover of the newly established toilet facility to the community and the selection of a five-member Toilet Committee. The STL emphasized the importance of including women in the committee, with a particular recommendation for a woman to serve as the treasurer. It was also suggested that the committee members be unemployed to ensure they have sufficient time to manage and maintain the facility effectively.
During this meeting, the Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (PMER) officer from WaterAid highlighted the critical role of the committee in maintaining the facility, including keeping daily records of sales and transactions. The Honorable Chairman of the Ogrute community expressed his gratitude for the project and mentioned the recent enactment of a law against open defecation in the community. He assured the attendees that the facility would be utilized, maintained, and managed properly. Additionally, the Igbo-Eze North LGA Chairman committed to employing the five-member committee as ADHOC staff in the local government, further solidifying the community’s dedication to maintaining the facility.
Day 2: Equipping for Success
The second day was dedicated to the comprehensive training of the Toilet Committee members. The training session began with an opening prayer led by the Igboeze North WASH Coordinator, followed by introductions from all attendees. The session was attended by the selected five-member committee, Igboeze North WASH unit staff (Coordinator, Hygiene, and Sanitation officers), the Traditional Ruler of Ogrute community, Igbo-Eze North local government executives, ENSTOWA-Ministry of Water Resources (Sanitation Officer and Assistant), WOSCONET (Vice President and Volunteer), WaterAid, and SSDO staff.
The STL of WaterAid delivered a welcome address, setting the tone for the day’s activities. The WaterAid PMER provided an overview of the training objectives, emphasizing the importance of effective toilet management, the roles and responsibilities of committee members, and the significance of teamwork and collaboration. The SSDO WASH Program Associate led insightful sessions on these topics, ensuring the committee members were well-equipped to handle their new responsibilities.
The Traditional Ruler of Ogrute, Igwe Wilfred Ogbonna, encouraged the committee members to manage and maintain the facility properly. He also promised to send watch guards every Eke market day to inspect the market environment and identify individuals practicing open defecation, as part of efforts to eradicate this practice in the community.
A key highlight of the training was the session facilitated by the Sanitation Officer STU, who covered essential hygiene and sanitation practices. Topics included:
– Basic principles of hygiene and sanitation
– Proper cleaning and maintenance
– Waste disposal methods
– Ensuring the supply of cleaning materials
Participants learned proper handwashing methods and the critical times for handwashing. The sanitation officer emphasized that committee members should ensure everyone using the toilet washes their hands afterward to prevent the spread of diseases. The training also covered the F-diagram, illustrating how feces can be transmitted into the mouth through various means (Finger, flies, fruit, food, foot, and field). Further sessions focused on toilet cleaning, proper waste disposal, and financial management of the record book.
A Vision for Sustainable Change
In conclusion, the committee members developed action plans to ensure the facility’s sustainability. The training ended on a positive note, with a renewed commitment to maintaining the toilet facility effectively.
The successful establishment and training of the Toilet Committee in Ogrute, Igboeze North LGA, demonstrate the power of community collaboration and the dedication to creating a cleaner and healthier environment. SSDO and WaterAid Nigeria are proud to have facilitated this initiative and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the community.