Girls design the best latrines

By Charity KalebboSchools across the country are going to enjoy a new design of pit latrines by three girls. The pit latrines are designed in such a way that each stance has enough space. There are three compartments of stances for the boys, three for the girls and three for the disabled. The pit latrines have special facilities to cater for menstruating girls. The buckets where soiled sanitary towels are to be disposed of have strings tied firmly to the bucket pedal. When you pedal, the bucket cover opens. So you do not have to touch the cover to open the bucket. When the buckets are full they are emptied into an incinerator that is built behind the girls’ latrine. The pit latrines are designed with pressure taps to ensure that water is available at all times. The latrines will have three tanks, which can collect rainwater as well as hold piped water from Municipal sources.The latrines also have a special facility for the students to hang their sweaters and place their bags. Each latrine had a beautiful, unique pit cover to keep flies out. When used by 80 pupils, the pit latrines can last four years before being emptied. They also have adequate lighting and ventilation. They can be built even in areas with a high water table. The new design has floors that are easy to clean and are easily prevented from soiling by users. Each latrine costs cost sh 4.45m($2,600) to build. These pit latrines were designed by students of Architecture and Civil Engineering in the Faculty of Technology, Makerere University. Six groups of students participated in the competition, which stretched for three months. Each group was given $100 (sh175, 000) for facilitation during this period. Dr. Moses Musaazi the supervisor and coordinator of the project said: “We had to make it a competition in order to get the best designs.” A panel of judges picked the best toilet on January 25. Each group was given 20 minutes to present their work.The sixth group made up of three girls had the best design. They earned an award of $1,000 (sh1.7m) from the Rockefeller Foundation. “We had to sacrifice five extra hours besides our class work to design these latrines,” says Christine Namagulu, one of the winners.The girls jumped off their chairs exclaiming “yeee,” as soon as they were announced the winners. Their faces were lit up with smiles. The winners were Brenda Asiimwe, Christine Namagulu, and Irene Gwokyalya all aged 22. “God is faithful,” is all they could say in chorus. The second group was given $ 500 (sh875, 000) and the rest of the groups were each given $100.The project called Minds Across Africa Schools Club (MAASC) is sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation. The students presented their designs to six female judges. They were Lillian Namuganyi, a lecturer in Architecture, May Namutebi a lecturer of Civil Engineering, Deborah Kasente, senior lecturer of Gender and Women Studies.Others included Katherine Namuddu, an independent observer, Dr Kasalina Matovu, Maasc, project director and Ms Tessa Lewin, Maasc project coordinator. “I have liked all the designs, so all the students should be congratulated because we shall borrow ideas from each design,” Matovu said.ends