Rotary Receives Grant for Dry Composting Toilets in the Campo

Published January 22, 2021

We have fantastic news!

Our grant application for Dry Composting Toilets has been approved! A total of $212,236.20 will provide education, training and construction materials for 135 rural families to build dry composting toilets.

Rotary Midday, since 2008, has built toilets and rainwater harvesting systems with families and local partners. Benita, the beneficiary who received the first dry composting toilet in her village tells how important the project is to her family.

“My dream has always been to have a toilet very close to my house. Now my beautiful daughters are safe if they need to go outside at night. There is no odor and no bugs. It has a nice little sink to wash your hands. My family feels safe and clean!” says Benita from the village of Juan Gonzalez near San Miguel.

Juan Gonzalez has had three phases of rainwater harvesting systems since 2010. Just last year, we helped them form a co-op for beekeeping. The long-term effect of staying and working in a village over many years is life-changing for the participating families. Benita and several of her neighbors have worked hard and learned a lot in order to receive the resources to build their dry composting toilets. Expertise and materials came from the Rotary Midday and its cooperating partner CEDESA (Centro de Desarrollo Agropecuario AC).

Recently Benita told Lee Carter that she joined the first water harvesting project 10 years ago because her “end game” was a dry composting toilet for her family! That is foresight and dedication! Good for you, Benita!

Why are dry composting toilets so beneficial for Benita’s village?

Working with CEDESA, villagers decided that dry composting toilets would be a way to eliminate open defecation. More than 80% of families in rural areas have no other option. Dry toilets are practical because:

 > Water is very scarce.
> Toilets don’t contaminate the water supply.
> Feces and urine produce fertilizer and organic compost.
> Construction uses inexpensive local materials.
> Sanitation prevents illnesses.
> Toilets located close to homes prevent violence against women.

What is the REAL reason this project is successful?

Rotarian Lee Carter explains:

“When we applied for dry composting toilets, we discussed illnesses that result from open defecation and why the toilets improve community and family health. Over time, the project has indeed improved the health of families and communities.

“However, we have observed that the women participate for completely different reasons. The inspiration to go to class or to the construction site, is that they dignify their lives by building a modern, safe toilet. A private toilet shows that the family is modern and brings respect and confidence.

“We at Rotary Midday have witnessed the change. We are proud of the achievements of our many projects. The biggest single indicator of a family moving up and out of poverty is having a bathroom in their home. No one can say exactly why, but it is a proven fact.

What can you do to help?
Rotary is where neighbors, friends, and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders, and take action to create lasting changes including our many community projects.

For more information and to contribute to this effort, contact President Skip Essick at skipessickmedia@gmail.com.

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