Free Latrine for People in Asmat
Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) is still implementing the Community Based Total Sanitation for people in Asmat through the Asmat Hope program. Open Defecation Free is one of the focuses of this program. In January 2020 about 12 households have been committing to live healthier by making a toilet.
Understanding the importance of toilets in daily life is increasing day by day. This is proof from the desire of people to make toilets in their homes, and there are even rules that house residents must use the toilets. The toilets are made with local materials that are easily found around the residence and are carried out independently by the community.
As a reward, WVI has given plastic latrine for every household that has built the toilet for their family. Other people become excited and want to do the same thing. This time, they do not want to put the latrine in the latest toilet, but they want to make a new better permanent toilet.
Meanwhile, the permanent toilets do not mean the toilet with good construction (e.g: use cement and great foundation). People make the toilet by using the boards and woods as the pillars. Some toilets are placed far from home, but there are also people who build the toilet inside their house.
People now become more understanding of the toilet inside the house. For the first time, they thought that the toilet inside the house could stinky, so they built it outside the house. Today, they understand that a well-built toilet in the house will not smell.
A beneficiary, Saferius Jimane said that he gets new knowledge about toilet position. He will put the new latrine in the new toilet he will build later.
“I thought that if we build the toilet inside the house it can be stinky, but now I understand that we can make it properly so it won’t be smell. That is why I will build a new toilet near the house,” he said.
WVI triggering and constructing the toilet is still being carried out in the Asmat service area. Asmat people still need moral support and money to live fully. You can also help people in Asmat by donating through this link http://wahanavisi.org/id/asmat-hope/
Written by: Solfriamus Dasman, Health Officer Asmat Hope Wahana Visi Indonesia
