Rumphi to benefit from sanitation project

Rumphi District will benefit from a sanitation business project called Sanitation Business Model designed to empower poor households to have sustainable sanitation facilities and attain open-defecation-free (ODF) status.

The 11-month project will be implemented in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mwankhunikira by A Self Help Programme (Asap) and Design Management Consultants (DMC).

Asap deputy team leader Twisiwile Mwaighogha told Rumphi district executive committee (DEC) the initiative has been introduced to help poor households construct sustainable sanitation facilities so that they move higher on the sanitation ladder.

He said: “It has been realised that where Plan sub-guarantees are implementing sanitation projects, most households are failing to climb higher on the sanitation ladder.

“This is because they cannot afford sustainable toilet facilities because of poverty and low income status. As such, most of them are stuck with traditional toilets which in most cases collapse, forcing them to practise open defecation.”

Project coordinator Lastone Zungu said a revolving fund will be set up to offer soft loans to entrepreneurs and households in need of the products and services.

He said a management team will be established at T/A level which will work with community-based lending structures such as village savings and loans (VSLs). n