Washroom Project Kibera Slum Nairobi

The background

Situated on the outskirts of Nairobi is the largest informal settlement (slum) in Africa: Kibera. Home to approximately 250,000 people across an area of just 2.5 kilometres, Kibera is a vibrant but densely populated place and the living conditions are shocking. Residents often live without clean water, sanitation, electricity and healthcare.

In most of Kibera there are no toilet facilities which is why the Mtaa Safi community group has been working on a project to give better access to washroom facilities. Initially the government had built a washroom for the community but due to bad management, the washroom was vandalized and the place turned into a dump site. Now the facility is in urgent need of renovation and a new approach to make the facilities more sustainable.

The project

Luckily these engaged young people are putting a great effort into improving the situation. The goal is to create a hygienic environment that is conducive to the community in terms of their health and the washroom will run 24 hours a day.

They already managed to improve the facilities a lot, however there is still funding needed to finish the last things which include plumbing, painting and electricity (light for safety at night).

Sustainability

The group has now involved the community members in the planning, construction and maintenance of the washrooms and there is a feeling of ownership. This participatory approach fosters community cohesion, resilience, and self-reliance, leading to sustainable improvements in sanitation practices over the long term. They are planning to charge the community a small fee that will help to ensure that the maintenance of the washroom is running smoothly and that the project will be sustainable.

Impact:

Improved Health and Hygiene: Access to clean and functional washrooms can significantly improve community health by reducing the spread of diseases caused by poor sanitation and hygiene practices.

Enhanced Dignity and Privacy: Adequate washroom facilities provide individuals with a sense of dignity and privacy, especially for menstruating individuals, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Environmental Protection: Properly designed and managed washroom facilities can help protect the environment by preventing the contamination of water sources and reducing pollution from untreated wastewater.

Your donation

My employer Randstad already donated half of the funds needed, and we are now looking for the final amount.

Your donation will be used to finalize this important project and allow 3,000 residents from the area to have access to clean and safe washroom facilities again.