Rugerero Village

Pre-Assessment

Overall Project Objective

The project was submitted to the TAC for project approval with several areas where the community of Rugerero has expressed a need. The purpose of the assessment trip will be to establish the scope of the project according to what the community requests and is feasible for our chapter.


Site Assessment Data Needs:

As stated previously, needs have been established by the community. The assessment team will be working closely with the community to determine the best place to apply our expertise. The assessment team will observe the rainwater catchment systems already installed in the village to determine their effectiveness and sustainability. Another project option suggested was building water storage tanks in the village attached to the water pumps creating an emergency storage system if the piping to the village requires maintenance. Additionally, information will be gathered regarding the stability of the current latrine system design. Already many of the septic tanks have collapsed. The team could observe potential problems associated with the design to fix the already dilapidated septic tanks and improve those that may pose a problem in the future.


Data required to design the project

If one of the water project options are chosen, then the amount of water required during the dry season or during a water shortage would need to be determined. If a storage tank is to be built for either the rain water catchment systems or for the water distribution system from the local supplier a location for the tank would need to be decided.

If the latrine option is chosen, current design will need to be assessed to determine capacity. The basis of the original design will need to be understood to develop a stronger system, which could possibly utilize pieces of the already installed system.

Local supplies will be assessed to determine cost effectiveness and availability.


Project Sustainability

The instrumentation or system of monitoring that will be used to evaluate the sustainability of the project:

Since the rainwater catchment system is already partially installed, it will be easier to understand deficiencies (if there are any). The latrines are already constructed. From the failure of these systems the group can observe the problems and determine some solutions. EWB will remain in contact with the community after the implementation trip to ensure the community is content with the project and the design is sustainable. Also EWB-MAP would like to establish relationships with the surrounding communities for future trips therefore allowing the chapter to check the sustainability of the project.


Post-Assessment Summary

Overview of Trip

The trip started with visits to some of the local politicians to describe our assessment plans. After meeting with the local government we proceeded to meet with the health committee of the community. These members of the community have been active in monitoring the wellbeing of other community members. We spoke with this committee for some time about improvements they would like to see in their community. Through this conversation, the community communicated to us that their top priority at this time is the latrine system. The conversation with the health committee was followed up with a tour of the village including inspection of several broken latrine systems. We visited all 100 homes on subsequent trips. The septic system for each home consisted of a “toilet” with a pipe connected to a cesspool. The cesspool was approximately 6’ by 10’ with four cement lids. We gathered data on the current state of the septic tanks including number of lids intact, pipe status, whether the system was in use, and grade of the tank. Also pictures were taken of each tank and piping system. We evaluated some of the water sources including the local tap and a few of the rainwater catchment systems, which had been installed in the community this year. After we compiled our results of the water sampling and latrine evaluation, we met again with the health committee and presented the findings of our assessment and a possible remedy/modification for some of the broken latrine systems. The proposed remedy was discussed by the committee members and was approved. We presented our findings about the water sources to the health committee for their information as well. Finally, we presented the proposed remedy for failed latrines in a general community meeting and solicited input.


Community Relations

During their recent visit, the team members met with a number of the community members and had formal meetings with The Survivors’ Village Health Committee. We also asked and received from all of the Village families, all of the health assessment questionnaires and have since submitted those. We had several meetings with local government officials and attended a ceremony at a local Twa Village, where we were heartily welcomed.

During our visit we presented educational materials and advice for the ongoing care and maintenance of the newly constructed latrines. We also gave advice about the care and maintenance of rooftop water collection systems provided by another NGO and asked that NGO to follow up with the Villagers.


In Country Relations

During the trip we were able to establish a stronger connection with our Red Cross contact as well as another Red Cross contact and several local politicians. In addition, we worked with some Rwandan university students involved in an organization called Rwanda Village Concept Project.


Potential Design Options

Depending on the state of the system there may be different designs used for different homes. The following are some of the alternatives we have considered to date. Final implementation plans may involve more than one of the alternatives.

  1. Fix the toilet system using the current design.
  2. Use the existing tank and create four holes on top of the tank for use as a pit latrine. A structure for privacy and weather protection would be built on top of the concrete slabs. This structure would have to be moved as portions of the tank are filled and taken out of service


  3. Dig the installed tank deeper (if it has not been in use for some time). In this case, use only one quadrant of the tank for a pit latrine.
  4. Fill in the old tank completely and create a new pit latrine.
  5. Fill in one side of the existing tank. Pour the concrete top onto the filled side. The fill will serve as a support while the concrete mixture is curing. When the curing process is complete, move the fill to the second half of the tank where it will remain until the first side is filled.

Pre-Implementation Report

Sanitation Project: Construction Designs

The pit latrine will be based on the Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrine. The design includes this community’s unusual constraint; an existing tank in the limited space of the each family’s backyard. The pit latrine will be constructed within the walls of the 7’X10’ tank. The plan is to install a wall using cinder blocks in the middle of the tank. Six slabs of concrete will be placed on top of the current apron and the installed wall. The slabs will be poured out of place and transferred onto the tank after curing. Three of the walls of the adobe structure will be built on the original walls of the tank. The fourth wall will be placed on the installed wall. The roofing material will be tin and will be lashed to the adobe with bamboo and wire. A ventilation pipe will be installed with a screen to eliminate flies and create aeration. The design allows for the system to be used indefinitely since the families can switch between the two pits.

Assumptions:
  • Pour flush system not possible
  • Pricing based on local available materials
  • 1.5 ft3 effluent/per person/year

Metrics: Technical

Metrics that will be used to determine the technical adequacy and success of this project:

The technical success of the project will be based on the life of the latrine system, which includes the two sides. The design allows for the system to be used indefinitely since the families can switch between the two pits. The durability of the structure (adobe walls) will be in question as well as the durability of the cement slabs since these are different entities. Cracking in the adobe walls and the cement slabs will be closely monitored.

The physical metrics of the project will be the number of latrines constructed during the implementation trip.

Types of data that will need to be collected before and after the project is implemented to evaluate success of the project.:

Before Implementation: Calculated life of latrine
After Implementation: Latrine life
No cracking in the adobe walls or cement slabs


Post-Implementation Report

Overview of Trip

In August and September of 2008 six members of the Mid-Atlantic Professionals chapter of EWB traveled to Rugerero, Rwanda to start implementing the latrine repairs described in section D. The team split into three sets of two with staggered travel dates so that there would be EWB-MAP members present in Rugerero for approximately four weeks. The first team (Hankin and DiFilippo) explored options for material procurement and hired masons for the project; they were in Rwanda from 8/24 to 9/4. The second team (Martin and Markley) trained the masons and foreman in the design and oversaw initial construction; they were in Rwanda from 9/1 to 9/19. The third team (Brostow and Cairncross) supported the construction efforts and explored opportunities for future projects; they were in Rwanda from 9/6 to 9/19.

EWB-MAP is proud to report that by the end of the Implementation Trip the following latrine upgrades were accomplished:

  1. construction of one new VIP latrine was complete
  2. a second VIP latrine was more than 75% complete
  3. footers were poured for six additional VIP latrines
  4. broken lids on two septic tanks were replaced
  5. broken pipes on five latrines were repaired or replaced
  6. cracks, gaps, and holes in numerous septic tanks were sealed

In addition, the team of masons was trained in the VIP latrine construction and repairs so that they will be able to continue this project during the coming year. Oversight of the project will be managed through the Red Cross in Gisenyi, Rwanda (a city about 6 km from Rugerero). The foreman for the repairs will be Michel, a Red Cross volunteer, and the local Red Cross Director, Jean Bosco, will be managing the local expenses and reporting regularly to us on progress and expenses.


Summary of Component Implementation & Engineering Outcomes

The latrines were constructed by building new walls within the pit (after pouring footers to support the walls) and pouring a single floor-slab of concrete in-place.

There were four types of latrine upgrades:

  1. Latrine replacement with VIP latrine as described above and in Appendix.
  2. Replacement of one or more of the lid-slabs on septic pits using a reinforced concrete slab design similar to the VIP floor-slab.
  3. Replacement or repair of pipes connecting the pour-flush latrine to the septic pit and protection of the pipes from future damage.
  4. Sealing of holes, cracks, and gaps in currently used latrines with intact lids.

Implementation of one complete latrine was completed at the time of our departure. A second latrine was partically completed. In addition, two repairs were completed. The team left confident that the foreman and masons understood the design requirements for the slabs on both the repairs and the replacements.


Lessons Learned

  1. Materials are not as high quality as the materials in the US. Take this into consideration when finalizing the design.
  2. Be clear about your intensions. Our contact in Rwanda is a very charismatic speaker but often promises things for us even when we have no intention of completing the project suggested by him.
  3. The human element is unpredicable. Be prepared to deal with some community politics. During the course of the project we experienced the president of the community destroying his latrine to ensure his was amoung the replace not repair set.

Future Evaluations

The assessment team members visited the local health clinic and performed a preminary assessment on the latrine system at that location.


Changes in Perception

  1. Manual Labor vs. Machines – We learned that manual labor is used more than machine use for applications. One example is breaking gravel into smaller pieces. Gravel is not broken in a machines in this area of Rwanda but instead broken by people with hammers. Manual labor was more accessable than the alternative.
  2. Complex vs. Simple – Simple designs such as a pit latrine often make more sense than a complex design such as a community latrine system with a common pit. The community expressed that they really liked the latrine design. They said that these latrines are similar to those in other villages in the area.

Translate the Experience

Upon departure of Rwanda the team felt the project was a success on the technical side. The latrines designed were very robust and should last a family of 6 over 20 years. The team accomplished their goals in technology transfer. The team felt the design would help improve the health of the village.

The team did not get the level of community involvement expected but the community did help with some elements of the process such as material movement before construction.


Next Phase of Project

This project will continue for a year. The red cross contact Jean Bosco and the red cross volunteer and foreman of the job will continue to manage the work from Rwanda. They will communicate with us through email with purchase orders and pictures of the new latrines.


Twa Village

Pre-Assessment Report

Objectives of Site Assessment Trip

  1. Understand the dynamics of the village including meeting the leadership.
  2. Speak to the community about their needs. 3. Establish a committee to head the EWB projects.
  3. Tour the village and develop a map of the homes and any community buildings.
  4. Establish roles and responsiblies of EWB, the NGO, and the community.

Community Priorities

The members of the EWB team visited the village briefly during the last assessment. The community expressed a desire for a latrine.


Project Feasibility

Based on our conversations with Jean Bosco our NGO, this community is very willing to work to better their lives if given the opportunity. They have seen the work of EWB and our partners in Rugerero and have enlisted our help.