WASH Nepal – Project Brick Kiln

Nepal’s WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene) program has predominately focused on enhancing the health and wellbeing of small townships and villages throughout the country. The work that various NGO’s and INGO’s have done to improve access to satisfactory facilities is evident by the roadside signs throughout Nepal proudly proclaiming open-defecation free zones. However, it seems that whilst many remote communities have received considerable funding and attention, a sizeable demographic inside the Kathmandu Valley has subsisted beneath the radar of external support.

The Kathmandu Valley is home to approximately 60 brick kilns that produce the red sand bricks that built this city. The furnaces are fired year round, employing approximately 300 workers and their families at each site. It is easy to recognise the brick kilns by their enormous chimneys which bellow smoke on the outskirts of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. Desperate for employment, the workers come to the Valley from all throughout Nepal and even India. However, whilst the entrepreneurs who own the brick kilns supply a wage little else is provided for leaving the workers to fend for themselves. Unable to afford rent the workers build small shelters on-site from the bricks deemed unsatisfactory for sale which provide no more than a small space to sleep. With temperatures falling below zero to share such a small space probably has its benefits, but the standard of living they endure is far less than the UN Millennium Development Goals¹ aim to achieve. Whilst some families work on-site for years, it is an environment they don’t necessarily associate with as their ‘home’ and therefore many of the facilities established in their native villages – particularly appropriate latrines – are not intrinsically seen as their responsibility. Coupled with a considerable lack in hygiene education, open-defecation is paramount across the site leading to the spread of disease, significantly impacting on community health.

The lack in health and hygiene at the brick kiln sites was recognised by TDH (a Swiss NGO), and Chhimmeki (a Nepali NGO) about 12 months ago whilst undertaking a child development project in the region. Soon after a working group comprised of TDH, Chhimmeki and ENPHO (who were seconded for technical support) was established in order to address the WASH requirements of the workers and their families. Given the large number of brick kilns across the Valley, six sites were initially selected for WASH project implementation. It was determined that the main priority is to ensure the sites are open-defecation free by installing pour-flush latrines. Pour-flush latrines were selected due to the soil type and sludge management factors. Given the large number of inhabitants across the site, about 25 latrines are needed followed by social mobilisation to ensure the latrines are not just used, but used the correct way and consistently.

On January 17 2012 the project team installed the first latrine at a kiln located 2km outside of Bhaktapur. Some previous work had been completed at the site such as excavating a large pit for the effluent to flush into. The site is located on soft loamy clay which is relatively easy to construct on. A key element of WASH projects is to ensure they are sustainable for the communities. With this principle in mind local materials were used as much as possible so that the workers are able to maintain and repair the latrines without external assistance. By using local materials it is also normally far cheaper, if not free. The latrine frames were therefore built out of bamboo and the latrine slab was elevated using bricks form the construction site. Only the slab and toilet bowel were sourced from outside the area. Appropriate piping, screws and joining wire were obtained from the Bhaktapur township. The workers already possessed the necessary tools for construction.

With direction from the project team, on-site labourers set to work constructing the latrines. It was a collaborative effort with many people watching on with interest as bamboo was cut, pipework joined together and earth dug away. It only took about two hours to put the latrine slab in the ground, install the flush pipes and erect the bamboo frame. The workers stood back proud once the latrine installation was complete and were left only to ponder – who would go first?

The installation of the first latrine was a milestone for the project group and a great accomplishment. Whilst many more latrines require installation – approximately 167 across the 6 sites – the workers themselves now have the capacity to construct the remaining latrines. The owners of the sites are also involved in the project and have pledged to ensure that the necessary time and resources are made available for the workers to complete what is left of the installations. With continued efforts form all parties, it is hoped that all inhabitants, particularly the children raised onsite, will benefit from the enhanced level of hygiene.

This project is testament to the enormity of work that is still required throughout Nepal. The projects are not necessarily technological advanced – actually the simpler the technologies the more effective they usually are – but the benefits provided to communities are significant.

Matthew Gardner - Kathmandu