DISCUSSION POINTS RAISED IN WORKSHOP PRESENTATION OF
STSISP BASELINE SURVEY DATA
Before finalizing the Baseline Survey Report, a workshop was held to which organizations
with experience or an interest in working to improve sanitation in South Tarawa and Betio
were invited. The purpose of the workshop was to provide an overview of the key survey
findings, and to discuss their significance for future action, before seeking approval for the
distribution of the report. The following outlines the points of discussion that arose during the
workshop. A list of participants is attached at the end of this appendix.
1. Disposal of diapers and sanitary pads
Disposal of diapers and sanitary pads is a significant problem because of the tendency of
women to dispose of them down the toilet, thus causing blockages, especially in communal
and public toilets. Workshop participants saw the disposal of diapers as an even wider
problem than this, as they are often left where dogs can grab them and drag them around,
leaving them in other people’s yards. Several suggestions were discussed:
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It was pointed out that the ‘Green Bag’ has been shown to be popular for disposing
nappies to landfill and that this may be a cheap, sustainable solution to disposing
feminine hygiene products and nappies.
In public or communal latrines, a dog-proof receptacle with a closely fitting lid could
be built in under the floor or attached the wall, designed so that a green bag could be
hung inside. The green bag could then simply be removed at regular intervals, and
properly disposed of.
Incinerating diapers was also put forward as a possible solution, although this led to
some discussion about whether cultural beliefs are still held that burning diapers
could bring harm to the baby.
A broader aspect of the discussion related to the use of disposable rather than cloth diapers,
and the overall trend to using more convenient and perhaps in some ways beneficial, but
less environmentally friendly, products. The possibility of discussing this issue in schools
with students was put forward.
2. Hand washing
The discussion of hand washing focussed on the gap that exists between the conveying of
information about the importance of hand washing, and the changing of actual behaviour. It
was generally agreed that everyone in South Tarawa was probably aware of the importance
of hand washing, but that the actual practice was limited. Discussion focussed around:
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The absence of hand washing facilities near latrines and eating areas. Encouraging
the making and use of tippy-taps was suggested. Brett MacDonald offered to
provide a demonstration on how these can be made. This would be a very useful
demonstration for the South Tarawa Sanitation Improvement Sector Project
community mobilizers once appointed, and if sufficient bottles can be obtained,
could be piloted as a guided Saturday afternoon activity for children in one of the
community.
The absence of hand washing facilities at stalls selling food around schools was
also raised as a health issue. It was suggested that all stall owners could be
encouraged to provide such facilities, and the issuing of licenses to sell food to the
school children could perhaps be made conditional on such provision. (Hand
washing arrangements, however, should not encourage communal hand washing
in cold water, rather than the use of a dipper to pour water over hands.)
The South Tarawa Sanitation Improvement Sector Project participants made their
now much repeated plea for any information about a reliable source of lye that
could be used in soap making by women’s groups, should costing demonstrate that
such soap could be made more cheaply that the price of soap in the shops. (The
idea is that the women’s groups could make soap and sell some in the community,
but also provide schools with some soap for free.)
Concern was expressed at the lack of hand washing facilities at a number of
schools.
The importance of encouraging parents to get their children to wash their hands
(and not use the beach for defecation if there are alternatives) was also stressed.
3. Design of Multi-user, Multi-purpose Sanitary Facilities (MPSFs)
Several issues were discussed with respect to the possible promotion of the construction of
MPSFs. The following suggestions were made:
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If the MPWU were to develop a number of standard designs – ‘approved designs’
that builders could readily construct – then this could help ‘standardise’ facilities,
and make maintenance a simpler process. The designs could also take into
account community preferences, making them more attractive to potential users.
No-one was aware of whether any study had been carried out in South Tarawa
regarding whether residents would prefer to use squat toilets, which more closely
resemble squatting on the beach, rather than pedestal toilets. It was agreed that
this is something that requires further investigation.
The possibility was raised of providing hand washing facilities over the toilet
cisterns in MPSFs, if constructed, so that water could be recycled.
Discussion also took place regarding whether the design of MPSF could be such as
to ensure that there was sufficient area for women visiting them to chat, thus
making the toilets more attractive to female users. There was some discussion as
to whether past preferences for using the beach as a place to defecate because it
provided an opportunity to chat and enjoy company is still a positive aspect of open
defecation so far as people on Tarawa were concerned. Some participants belive it
still is; others felt that it is now largely something of the past.
4. Micro-credit
One view expressed with respect to micro-credit was that it could be complicated and
difficult to make to work. Micro-credit has been used before by Kiribati Housing Authority
with rainwater tanks. It was suggested that if such a scheme were to be capitalised, it might
provide better results to subsidise construction materials for construction of one of the
‘approved designs’ referred to above.
Another suggestion was that a business package could be offered, with recipients paying a
certain amount per month in repayment
However, AMAK is currently in discussion with the World Bank about possible funding for a
micro-credit scheme, and KAP III will be using a micro-credit scheme in association with its
water facilities.
5. Water Facilities
Concern was expressed over the inadequacies of water supplies at some schools.
There was also some concern about whether current arrangements with water tanks are
sufficient to avoid contamination of the water by the first catch. Design features that diverted
the first catch were discussed, but the KAP III water engineer stated a preference for
advocating sterilizing the water by adding bleach to the tank every couple of months, which
she considered a more effective means of reducing contamination.
6. User pay for sanitary facilities
One view expressed was that user-pays schemes are a challenge to keep running when
there are easy alternatives available. It was also suggested that the right of people to have
access to a toilet is something we ought to work toward without relying on service fees. As
the cost of a bar of soap was a barrier to hand washing, and so it follows that paying 10, 20
or even 50 cents might turn people away from user pay toilets
WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS
Participant’s Name
Organization
Matennang Atauea
Bairenga Kirabuke
Secretary
Chairwomen
Sue Ryan
Senior Biology
Teacher
Coordinator
Tabaina Iuta
Matirerei
Mwaiango Enota
Teitibwebwe R
Moia Tetoa
Public Awareness
Officer
Maintenance
supervisor
President
Position in
Organization
Itoiningaina
RAK – KPC Women’s
Organization
Sacret Heart School,
Bikenibeu
KPC Women’s Centre
Itoiningaina
MPWU - WEU
Email address
matauea@gmail.com
bkirabuke@gmail.com
sue07ryan@gmail.com
tabaina.iuta@gmail.com
mtavita2@gmail.com
MoE (FMU)
izzyrosebibi@gmail.com
AMAK
amakwomen@gmail.com
Elder Youngberg
LDS Charities
LDS Church
youngbergdb@gmail.com
Brett MacDonald
Program Manager
Pacific Food Initiative
btmacdonald@gmail.com
Kirita Tibwere
Human Resource
Manager
Community
Engagement Officer
Urban Development
Coordinator
Water Engineer
PUB
akay4467@gmail.com
KAP III
amon.timan@gmail.com
New Zealand High
Commission
KAP III
ross.craven@mfat.govt.nz
Public Awareness
Officer
Engineer
PUB
SMEC Team, STSISP
chriserein@gmail.com
Community
Engagement and
Gender Specialist
Community
Engagement and
Gender Specialist
SMEC Team, STSISP
t52tebano@gmail.com
SMEC Team, STSISP
cecily_neil@yahoo.com
Amon Timan
Ross Craven
Marella Rebgetz
Itibwebwe Kabiri
Taboia Metutena
Temakei Tebano
Cecily Neil
m.rebgetz@gmail.com