It is far too easy for many of us to take access to clean water, proper nutrition and proper sanitation facilities for granted. However, it is estimated that worldwide 2.5 billion people do not have access to proper sanitation. According to the United Nations, countries where open defecation is widely practiced, have the highest numbers of deaths of children under five.
Gary Peterson, immediate past president of Feed the Hungry SMA, has confirmed that more than 50% of the children in the San Miguel de Allende surrounding communities they serve suffered from malnutrition prior to their involvement. In the rural communities surrounding San Miguel, open defecation is widely practiced simply because there are no alternatives. Merely building toilets is not necessarily the answer to the problems caused by open defecation as, more often than not, the facilities fall into disuse and disrepair. This is an issue that Rotarians have faced in worldwide as they have tried to address the lack of sanitation.
The Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende along with its partner, CEDESA, has been addressing issues related to the lack of safe drinking water for nine years. They have managed the investment of more than US$650,000 to provide education, training and building materials to rural dwellers that want to self-construct rainwater harvesting systems in their homes. 1,100 cisterns have been built collecting 13,200,000 liters of rain annually. Beneficiaries are encouraged to remain active in the grassroots campesino organization called COCIRA under the CEDESA’s guidance.
Water color sanitario seco (Image courtesy of the Rotary International)
Rotary Midday has formed a coalition with the municipality of San Miguel, The Rotary Foundation and “Friends of Vivienda” to conduct a pilot project to build dry composting toilets. This project will be kicked off in May with the construction of 51 toilets in the communities of Juan Gonzalez, Vivienda de Abajo, Montecillo de Nieto, Cienega Juana Ruiz and Corralejo de Abajo at a cost of US$96,000.
Come to the Rotary Midday presentation on Tuesday, April 17 to learn more about dry composting toilets. Learn how they work and why they are the best alternative for attacking the problems related to open defecation.
- What: Rotary Presentation
- Title: Rotary Brings Dry Composting Toilets to Rural Communities
- Date, time: Tuesday, April 17 12:00 p.m.
- Where: Hotel Mision
- Address: Salida a Queretaro 1
- Extra info: 415 112 3413
- Cost: Free
Rotary Midday meets every Tuesday at 12:30 pm at Hotel Mision at Salida de Queretaro #1.
By Lee Carter
Rotary is where neighbors, friends and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders and take action to create lasting change. For more information, contact President Fred Collins at [email protected] and see RotarySMAMidday.org.
