Sanitation Marketing Blog

iDE Cambodia

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 22:57:00 GMT

Khai Horn: iDE trained me to do an extra part time job in addition to my current job, and the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) is helping to promote more latrine sales for my business in Kampong Thom.

How Horn heard about this free training and go involved in this latrine business

Khai Horn, 36, is running a small latrine business in addition to his present medical job at a Vietnamese farm. After listening to a radio broadcast that a latrine does not cost a million Riels anymore, he tried to find a way to get connected with a latrine business. Only two months later, he decided to invest his own money, around 800 dollars, to buy molds and other raw materials to start his business.

Khai Horn, as an independent business owner, is standing and smiling next to his latrine models

How Horn's life has been changed since the latrine business started

“Before getting trained, I did not work with many people and my sales skills were quite limited. After the training finished, I knew more about how to draw customers’ attention,” he said. Only nine months after getting his business started, he bought a truck to help with deliveries. At this time he had sold 560 latrines with collaboration with MRD and using the core training provided by iDE. Usually he goes and contacts each village chief and tells them how to sell latrines using the leaflets he provides. Since he also has another job, he uses his weekend to conduct sales activities in about 15 villages.

Barriers to his latrine business

“Right now, it is the rainy season and many roads are really in bad condition. Bad roads are a barrier to deliver latrines to villagers, and at the same time, the rain frustrates the villagers and they are not as willing to install a latrine. However, these two barriers cannot stop me from making business they will just delay the latrine delivery and buyers’ decision,” he said. “Faced with these problems, some may stop or even abandon this business but I won’t. I’ll keep going. I am ready to buy more cement, sand and other raw materials to have a latrine stock because there will be more latrine demand in early November,” he claims.
He is happy with this latrine business because he can earn 100 dollars per month as extra income beside his current job. Also, he loves this business because it has allowed him to buy a truck.

How MRD collaborates with Horn's business and other rural villagers to have latrines

For many months, the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) in Kampong Thom has been promoting sanitation to targeted villages and Horn, as an independent latrine business, was always invited to join the MRD’s village sanitation campaign. This has given him an opportunity to promote his product. As a result of this collaboration, he receives five to ten latrine orders per village that MRD visit. “I am very happy with this relationship because there will be more latrine demands from each campaign,” he concludes.

This blog post is from iDE Cambodia. Further stories about their work can be found here.

Plan Indonesia Disability Inclusion in WASH

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Since the beginning of 2012 Plan Indonesia has been explicitly trying to implement disability inclusion approaches within its existing sanitation and hygiene projects. Even though the results achieved at the community level vary, it is becoming clear that disability inclusion approaches are making a difference in terms of enabling people with disabilities (PWD) to have full access to basic sanitation and hygiene facilities. Plan Indonesia considers the year of 2012 as the initial step of disability inclusion achievement within its WASH program, which will be built on in the following years.

Plan Indonesia is currently implementing two CLTS (including hygiene) projects in three districts, namely Grobogan, Timor Tengah Selatan (TTS) and Timor Tengah Utara (TTU). The total population in these three districts is approximately 2.1 million people. The projects aim to reach open defecation free (ODF) status in 569 villages and to set government-led sanitation development by encouraging local governments to allocate their funding for improving sanitation and hygiene conditions through CLTS implementation in Grobogan District and ODF sustainability monitoring in TTS and TTU Districts. During their implementation it was found that, due to several physical / infrastructural barriers, a number of PWD were unable to access latrines built by community members. These PWD need special attention in term of enabling them to have full access to the latrines, hence different approaches are often needed to be carried out.

Awareness Raising on Disability Inclusion

Upon reflecting on the two WASH projects, Plan Indonesia determined that the projects needed to be more explicit regarding its disability inclusion strategies. Currently some results on disability inclusion aspect are there to be scaled-up with some aspects need to be improved.

The first step taken was conducting disability inclusion awareness raising session / training to all project staff members. This was mainly to introduce the concept of disability inclusion within WASH programs to all project staff members. The training that adapted the WaterAID’s and WEDC inclusive awareness raising materials was seen as the opportunity to spread the message of disability inclusion to the field staff members who will later implement the activities at the community levels. Some tools such as disability barriers mapping, squatting simulation and latrines inspection exercise were carried out to raise the awareness on the importance of addressing the sanitation necessity for PWD. The most important output of this training was the fundamental understanding of all project staff members on the steps needed to be done in implementing disability inclusion approach within the current WASH projects. The understanding was then translated into a work plan.

A good thing was that some sub-district officials who participated in the training were ‘triggered’ to adopt a disability inclusion approach to be implemented in their sub-district. They were confident to set their sub-districts as the pilot project for disability inclusion approach. They picked up the plan to go through the process from conducting assessment to find the PWD who crucially need the access to basic sanitation, committed to consult with them, committed to work with disabled people’s organization (DPO), and designing the most appropriate sanitation facilities for them. With close support from Plan Indonesia, we are going to see some concrete results on this sub-district by the end of 2013.

After the training all of participants went back to their working location and started making an attempt to action their work plans. Given that disability specific activities were not planned since the beginning of the project, this represented some “additional works” that were needed on top of their business as usual.

It seemed not a big deal for the staff members since the spirit shared to everyone from the training was that PWD are part of community members who work toward achieving ODF status of which all of persons within the village boundary ought to have access to improved latrines. Failure to enable the PWD to have access to latrines will lead to the failure of ODF status achievement. Most importantly all the project staffs now understand that basic sanitation is a human right therefore all people without exception need to have safe and sustainable access to latrines, including those with disability.

What Has Been Achieved?

It is encouraging to see the results in the ground brought by the project staff members and government counterparts. In the last seven months they have been working with community, especially with PWD, to achieve universal access to latrines at the village level –the scale of which ODF is declared. Survey and assessment were conducted by the project staff members in order to have a list of information in regards to PWD in each village. Since PWD can be easily overlooked during the usual CLTS process implemented in all villages, the staff members need to revisit the villages and find out any issues in regard to the inability of PWD in accessing improved latrines. At the end of the assessment staff members had the information about the number of PWD in each village and what kind of disability they have. These information were used to decide with whom (and how) they will work with to enable PWD in accessing improve latrines.

The most promising result for 2012 was the effort to link between sanitation marketing and disability inclusion. The current CLTS projects have encouraged local entrepreneurs to involve in sanitation business. With the assistance of Plan Indonesia some of them managed to form an association at district level called PAPSIGRO. The members of PAPSIGRO come from sanitation entrepreneurs at several sub-districts. To date, nearly 1,750 toilets have been sold by PAPSIGRO to the Grobogan District community. Training had been done to the members of PAPSIGRO included how to make special latrines for PWD. They were been introduced to the different options of latrines for PWD, including additional physical features that may be needed by PWD to get in to latrines such as hand-holder, railing, ramp, etc. Currently PAPSIGRO is providing services to build cheap latrines that will be designed based on the specific needs of PWD. With the assistance of Plan Indonesia staff members, PAPSIGRO are also developing the design of universal latrine that can be used by children and PWD. Further, to get more advances in reaching consumers who need specifically-designed latrines, PAPSIGRO has established a partnership with a local DPO.

The other recent results are in term of enabling PWD to have proper access to improved latrines, thus some different types of latrines have been built to fit their needs. It has also been found that significant social barrier in term of society rejection to the PWD was not encountered by the project staff members. This has brought easier task for the staff members to work with PWD and their society to make special latrines are accessible for PWD. Some good examples of the results from working with PWD and their family can be found in Mrs. Tri and Mr. Kiran’s house in Grobogan District, also in Mrs. Theresia and Mr. Matheous’ house in TTS District.

Mr. Matheous and Mrs. Theresia are married couple in their late eighties. They live in Loli Village that has reached ODF status in the beginning of 2012. Both of them have low vision impairment. Plan Indonesia project staff members and Loli Village community helped them to build light-coloured stone paths that can guide them from home toward the latrine and a hand washing facility. Now the facility is completed and both of them can go to latrine without help from others.

The 82 year old Mr. Kiran has weak legs that make him unable to squat for a long time. He had been practicing open defecation for many years before finally he was able to build his own latrine. Once CLTS has been introduced to his village, he built a pit latrine in his backyard. His wife and children relentlessly helped him to squat whenever he went to defecate, which at times made him think how unpleasant that must be for them. As a consequence Mr. Kiran thought to go back to the river where he could defecate on his own without any help. Fortunately before this happened, his children went to a consultation session with a PAPSIGRO member on how to customize their family latrine so that Mr Kiran can use it independently. Very soon after the consultation, a PAPSIGRO and Plan Indonesia staff member worked with Mr. Kiran to design a special latrine with hand-holder to help him squat. He now can access the latrine without additional help from his family members. Mr. Kiran’s case is similar to the 76 year old Mrs. Tri who suffered a stroke. In her case a wooden-chair had been holed to help her sitting comfortably whenever she defecates.

What’s Next?

Some lists of what to do in 2013 are now on the table. The implementation of disability inclusion within Plan Indonesia’s WASH program is spreading at the community level and needs to be vertically scaled-up. Local governments need to integrate this aspect within on-going CLTS projects. The results we have are good proof that disability inclusion approach does work to reach all people in accessing improved latrines; and use these best practice examples to encourage local government to adopt such approach.

Awareness raising needs to be conducted to the government officials who are directly involved in CLTS projects, including sanitarian from local health center and sub-district officials. Lastly, the local entrepreneurs who involve in sanitation marketing need also to provide affordable latrine products that meet PWD needs, including with the installation services. For water supply facilities Plan Indonesia will require each facility construction needs to be accessible for PWD when they live in the project location. By doing all of this, we may expect to see wider scale of disability inclusion implementation that can help more PWD in having full access to WASH facilities.

This briefing paper has been prepared by Wahyu Triwahyudi, Plan Indonesia.

WaterSHED in Cambodia - a hands-off approach to SanMark

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 03:52:00 GMT

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Enterprise Development, commonly known as WaterSHED, is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in the water and sanitation sectors in South East Asia. Its objectives are to “bring effective, affordable water and sanitation products to market in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam”. WaterSHED in Cambodia started as a public-private partnership before becoming registered as an NGO in 2011. In its short life it has grown by leaps and bounds in both success and reputation.

When asking WaterSHED staff what they see as their core functions, Geoff Revell, Program Manager, is clear and passionate in his response. He sees their function as to draw in the private sector so that they are interested in engaging in the business of WASH. He also adds the importance of working with the local government to create an environment where the market can succeed. When asked how WaterSHED goes about doing this, about how it is that they have managed to be successful, the answer is quite simple, “identify the obstacles and enable local actors to overcome them.” WaterSHED manages to do this well and the staff are excited about it.

With 75% of rural Cambodians not having a latrine, WaterSHED has introduced what they call the Hands-Off approach to sanitation marketing for latrine purchase, where their role is as facilitators – linking consumers and suppliers to maximise sustainability. Until recently, rural Cambodians relied on latrine ‘hand outs’ from the local government or charity organisations but the need is too great for them to ever reach everyone. The ‘Hands-off’ approach is led by Cambodians, encourages behaviour change and is definitely sustainable. So what are the main obstacles to latrine purchase and usage? Well rather than wasting time speculating, WaterSHED staff went in to various villages to find out. They discovered that potential buyers faced barriers such as difficultly buying multiple parts from various sellers, difficulty in having it delivered, and lack of access to finance or the belief that they couldn’t afford it. On the upside they also discovered that the demand was in fact there, people did want latrines at their homes and did not want the danger and inconvenience of going out in to the field and the possible health risks associated. Again for WaterSHED, the answer was then logical, ‘remove the obstacles’. It wasn’t about only introducing new products but about how the average household could access latrines and how all of this could be done simply and locally.

WaterSHED’s Hands-Off program works with local suppliers explaining to them the market that exists for the purchase of latrines if they are willing to learn how to make latrines and sell them at an affordable price as well as help with delivery. WaterSHED also trains local people in proven sales techniques and teaches them how to set up sales events in villages. Independent sales agents recruited by suppliers work with the support of local government to host an event involving community members. The local residents hear about the advantages of owning a latrine and the ease of purchasing one. Often the supplier will bring a latrine to show, which creates much excitement and lots of little giggles. By the end of the event, many villagers have purchased their first latrine or are at least thinking about it.

The increase in sales and the creation of jobs in rural areas and poor provinces helps the village economy and most importantly is completely self-sustainable. With finance being the third of the barriers, WaterSHED is partnering with some micro-finance organisations to offer payment plans to enable more people to purchase latrines.

The sales events have taken away the barrier of being ‘difficult to buy’, the suppliers offering scheduled delivery included in the purchase takes away the second barrier; and the micro-finance partnership helps with access to loans for either the villager or for the supplier wanting to offer instalment payment options. And the best part? The villages don’t need to rely on WaterSHED. The relationships formed with local suppliers, the training for the sales events and the relationships formed with local government and councils allows the purchase of latrines to be simple and effective. It helps facilitate behaviour change and create stronger communication channels.

The success of the Hands-Off approach is evident in many ways. In 2012 some villages have already reached 100% latrine ownership. One supplier interviewed said that before he got involved with this project he was selling 2-3 latrines per month but in the last 6 months he has sold over 300 and he is looking to expand his business.

As WaterSHED says: “our approach has had an immediate, sustainable and scalable impact on latrine sales and local business in Cambodia”.

Words by Romi Grossberg

Who is the 'latrine boss' of Indonesia?

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 05:53:00 GMT

Approximately 237 million people live in more than 16,000 islands that make up the nation of Indonesia. According to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program on drinking water and sanitation, a staggering 62 million Indonesians still defecate in the open, using fields and waterways to complete their most private business. The Association of Grobogan Sanitation Entrepreneurs (PAPSIGRO) is a group of sanitation marketers who are hoping to do a thing or million about this.

The story of how PAPSIGRO formed is a neat one. In 2011,Plan Indonesia provided training for 15 sanitarians from local health centres and 65 masons from the 10 sub-districts that form the larger District of Grobogan in the east of Central Java in Indonesia. These selected ‘entrepreneurs’ learnt how to produce toilet pans, concrete rings and toilet packages which could be sold to local communities to meet the demand that was being created by ‘triggering’ that was part of the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) process. CLTS was being implemented by Plan Indonesia in partnership with the local Government to support the sub-districts to attain Open Defecation Free (ODF) status. The vision was that households would stop defecating in their fields or the waterways, and rather use one location where there was an improved pit latrine.

Following the training, the ‘entrepreneurs’ returned home with their new set of skills to begin creating toilet pans to meet the sanitation needs of the locals living in the District of Grobogan. In the beginning, they were able to loan sand and cement from the local material store to get their business up and running. Paryadi, a local man from Dorolegi and newly trained sanitation marketer borrowed one sack of cement. From this he was able to make 13 toilet pans, which sold quickly for between Rp. 40,000-50,000 (US$4-5) each. This was a much more affordable option for his neighbours than was available at the market for Rp. 200,000 (US$20). Paryadi’s business grew quickly and in no time he had sold over 300 latrines. He began to expand to produce buis beton or concrete rings which function as a septic tank linked to the toilet. The production and installation of this impressive system costs between Rp. 500,000-1,400,000 (US$50-140).

Many of Paryadi’s fellow sanitation marketers were experiencing similar and growing demand within their own communities. To help one another meet this need, on 30 July 2011, they formed the Association of Grobogan Sanitation Entrepreneurs or PAPSIGRO. Forming associations of similar businesses is a common practice in Indonesia and small business owners often find this helpful in advancing their operation. This group of entrepreneurs now works collectively, and in the year following until September 2012 they sold 335 toilet packages, 1,256 toilet pan, 2,293 concrete rings and 22 fibreglass toilet moulds. They have expanded their business beyond the District of Grobogan and now sell across the Indonesian island of Java. They have provided training to Government and a range of organisations in the art of sanitation marketing.

On a recent trip to Indonesia with Plan International, I was lucky enough to visit one of the communities in which PAPSIGRO works. There I met a man with a lovely new shiny blue pour-flush toilet, recently installed with dual septic tanks. He was very proud and happy with his family’s toilet. I also visited a vocational school where students were being trained as part of the school curriculum in the production of toilet pans to ensure the next generation of sanitation marketers is ready to go! The quality of the toilet pans they were producing was high enough that they were being used to fulfill the orders being placed to PAPSIGRO. PAPSIGRO are also exploring if they could work with this group of 15 students to start to develop toilet designs which are accessible and inclusive of marginalised populations, including those with a disability and children.

Finally, I visited the District Government Office of Grobogan and met with the Executive Secretary of the Grobogan Ministry. A very keen supporter of sanitation marketing, he explained how the Government is committed to making communities in Grobogan ODF.

It seems that all the key ingredients are necessary in the District of Grobogan so that sanitation marketing can increase sanitation coverage. There is supply, demand and the enabling environment which, as we learnt in the first webinar on Sanitation Marketing, are essential to its success.

So, who then has earned the title of latrine boss of Indonesia? Apparently, this belongs to Paryadi, the sanitation marketer from Dorelegi. Hundreds of his fellow community members have benefited from the affordable and high quality latrines that Paryadi has developed as a result of his sanitation marketing training. Village Head, Muh. Dawan said himself, “with affordable latrines from PAPSIGRO, everybody in this village can build their own toilet in their houses”, a huge achievement for sanitation, for Plan Indonesia and for Paryadi!

Plan International have published the story of Grobogan Community’s Journey towards becoming ODF in ‘Wiping Out Old Habits’ available here.

Georgia Savage is a Policy Intern at WaterAid Australia.

Why we need fresh thinking to solve the sanitation crisis

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 14:00:00 GMT

For many of us the statistics are grimly familiar: 2.5 billion people without access to basic sanitation, 1.8 million deaths per year from diarrheal diseases, knock-on effects of poor sanitation and hygiene on nutrition and education, devastating impacts on the dignity and safety of people and communities. At present rates the sanitation target of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) may not be met until 2026, making it one of the most off-track targets in many countries of the world.

To address the sanitation crisis, it is now clear that programs focused on latrine construction will not be enough. New approaches like Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) have proven that communities can be motivated to change their sanitation situation – but that the first step is triggering behavior change.

Over the past few years, many of us have started experimenting with another demand-driven approach, Sanitation Marketing (SanMark). With its focus on creating household demand and improving supply of affordable, desirable and durable sanitation products, SanMark presents an opportunity for re-thinking sanitation – leveraging the power of the market and using public-private partnerships to increase access to sanitation at scale.

Sanitation marketing is gaining strides across the globe, so it is more important than ever that we as practitioners share what we are learning. Opening up the global debate and discussion, critiquing our practice, understanding the necessary complimentary strategies and limitations to the approach, ensuring that a range of voices is heard: these are critical steps to developing the ‘discourse’ around the approach. And to ensuring that sanitation marketing can evolve, expand and flourish as it has shown it has the potential to do.

The SanMark Community of Practice will bring together the latest experience and research on sanitation marketing, to track where and how the approach is taking off, and to make a space to share ideas and opinions.

Follow these links to submit a guest blog, share your field story or suggest an idea.