The ECOSAN toilet collects separately urine, wash water and faeces
in order to recycle them. Urine and wash water are used for watering
field or kitchen garden. Faeces get converted into compost in closed
6-7 months and the same is used for agriculture.
SCOPE not only builds toilets, but also trains people and encourages
them to change their toilet behavior practice and use toilets
properly. Use of toilets and stopping open defecation will improve
greatly health, sanitary and environmental situation.
In November 2006 Mr. Balakrishnan, Head master and Ms. Merry
Amaly Pushpam , Correspondent of the school requested the French
research students Mr. Anotonin & Ms. Annebelle of SOS France,
camping in Kameshwaram, whether they will support the construction
of a toilet for the 420 boys and 370 girls in the school.
Kameshwaram has the largest concentration of about 150 ECOSAN
toilets in a coastal Village in the state constructed by SCOPE,
DRDA &UNICEF. After discussion between the different partners
it was decided to construct ECOSAN urine diversion toilet in the
school, the first of its kind in high school in the state. It
was fest that the high rate of drop out of teenage girls would
be reduced by provision of a toilet in the school campus.
SOS (Savoir Oser la Solidarité), a French student Trust,
focused on welfare of children was very much interested in participating
in such a project. The students of SOS in France worked during
week- ends and the wages so earned - Rs.2.25 Lakhs- was sent for
the project. The School management advanced Rs. 20,000/-. The
construction of the toilet begun in March 2007. There are two
blocks one for boys and one for girls. Each block has two toilets
and twenty urinals. The girls block has been provided with a sanitary
napkin incinerator.
The urine from the toilet is taken through pipes for irrigating
the cashew trees in the adjacent block. Usage practices and health
and hygiene massages are painted on the walls of the toilet.
The cost of the project is Rs.2.5
lakhs.
With government funds, a second EUDT has been constructed in the
adjacent
Prathamaramapuram higher secondary school at a cost of Rs. 1 Lakh
for boys.