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: 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: 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: 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