When communities lack basic latrine facilities, open defecation becomes prevalent. This is a challenge for the people of Wainsue, a community in Jorpolu, which is one of four clans of Jorquelleh District in Bong County, north-central Liberia. With a population of approximately 7,600 dwellers, Wainsue faces the pressing issue of open defecation due to the absence of latrine facilities throughout the community, particularly at household levels. The use of nearby bushes by adults and children to defecate poses significant health hazards and sanitation challenges for the community In 2023, the USAID-funded Countywide Sanitation Activity (CWSA) arrived in Jorquelleh District and held a community entry meeting that brought together the four clans chiefs of Jorquelleh. CWSA explained its plan to help communities end open defecation, and the chiefs wholeheartedly embraced this idea and set up a core team to lead implementation alongside CWSA. Working closely with the core team, CWSA entered Wainsue and met Korto Togbah, the Town Chief responsible for governing Wainsu. As a struggling mother, Korto can hardly afford a daily square meal (breakfast, lunch, and supper) for her children, so constructing a modern toilet for her family seemed impossible. Even with these challenges, Korto courageously and eagerly asked “What assistance does CWSA bring to our community?"
CWSA introduced the Quee Toilet’s commode to Korto, which is an innovation made from plastic. It consists of a stool or pan, safe for defecation and low cost. At only USD 10, Quee Toilets provides community members with an affordable option that seals off waste from users and reduces the risk of contamination by preventing odors, flies, and cockroaches. During discussions with CWSA, Korto began to understand how increased community collaboration could enable each household in Wainsue to possess its latrine. She became excited and inspired by the work of CWSA, and helped raise awareness among community members, encouraging them to seize the opportunity to purchase a Quee Toilet for their families.
"The CWSA worker assured us that with the Quee Toilet, our community would be free from foul odors, and we could avoid common illnesses like diarrhea, malaria, and typhoid." Korto recounted.
The adoption of Quee Toilets in Wainsue has extended beyond 22 households and has reached the Assembly of God Community School and Church. Korto’s children, along with 377 other children attend the school. The school now boasts two Quee Toilets installed (one for boys and one for girls), and the Church has another two (one for women and one for men).
Korto’s voice has inspired change in Wainsu and has helped mobilize community collaboration and adoption of Quee Toilets to decrease the risk of common illnesses and enable a cleaner environment.
The USAID-funded Countywide Sanitation Activity (CWSA) aims to achieve a permanent end to open defecation (OD) across five counties in Liberia: Montserrado (rural), Bong, Lofa, Nimba, and Grand Bassa.
The objective of ending OD permanently will be accomplished through a coordinated network of public, private, and community actors, enabling Liberian households, to build improved toilets. The five-year project was awarded to Population Services International (PSI), which leads a consortium of organizations including Concern Worldwide, Athena Infonomics, and Gusceman Incorporated. This award runs from September 1, 2022 through September 30, 2027.
The consortium will achieve its project objective through interventions in the following four result areas:
- Improved sanitation governance
- Adoption of key sanitation behaviors
- Strengthened sanitation markets and
- Increased financing for sanitation
Written By:
Abraham Nyorkor (Learning and Communications Manager, CWSA) & Allen Charleson (Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, PSI Liberia)
