Welcome
Background: This project is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Matagalpa, which has completed two previous projects in partnership with the Rotary Club of Bettendorf. The first was a latrine project in several rural communities in the municipality of Jinotega; the second was the construction of a suspension footbridge in the community of El Jícaro in the municipality of Esquipulas.
Each of these projects was executed in partnership with an NGO, the latrines with AVODEC, an NGO based in Jinotega, founded and managed by Rotarian Victorino Centeno, and the bridge with Continental Crossings, the Iowa City affiliate of Bridges to Prosperity, the founders of which are also Rotarians. These two Rotary matching grant projects were very successful, with excellent oversight, stewardship and documentation provided by the Rotary Club of Matagalpa. After completion, each of the projects was visited by D6000 Rotarians.
In the case of the bridge project, another key collaborator was the municipality of Esquipulas, which assisted with transportation of materials, equipment rental and other logistical support needed in the course of the project.
The Project: The proposed project is for the construction of 85 latrines in the communities of La Pita, El Barro and Las Eneas, all in the municipality of Esquipulas (population 24,639). This project falls within the “Water and Sanitation,” “Maternal and Child Health” and “Disease Treatment and Prevention” Areas of Focus and will directly benefit 671 persons living in these three communities, which have a total population of 1,718. Currently many of the families there have inadequate latrines or defecate in the open, which allows breeding of insects that carry diseases, contaminates water and the environment and causes illness. Especially affected are young children and the elderly.
The proposed latrines have a “semi-elevated” design that uses a reinforced masonry chamber that is partly underground and partly above ground to hold waste and prevent it from leaking or leaching into surrounding soil. The seat is made of fiberglass, and the toilet enclosure is made of angle iron and galvanized sheet metal with a corrugated galvanized metal roof.
The life of the latrine is about four years, after which time a new chamber can be constructed and the existing enclosure and seat are moved to sit atop the new chamber. Families will be advised in planning for this eventual replacement so that they can set aside funds as needed.
In addition to the new latrines, families will be trained in the use, care and maintenance of the latrine, as well as receiving instruction in various matters of hygiene such as changing diapers, hand-washing, boiling cooking water, wiping after defecating, etc. A follow-up visit will take place six weeks after completion of the project to verify the correct use and care of latrines by families and to resolve any questions or doubts they may have.
Beneficiaries of the project will receive guidance in and be involved in the site selection and excavation for the latrine. Unskilled labor tasks, such as the excavation for the masonry chamber, will be performed by the beneficiaries.
The total cost of the project for 85 latrines, including all construction, fabrication, training and followup, is US$34,000. Assuming that all financing comes from the International Partner clubs and districts, financing would be as follows: D6000 club funds, $7,221 ($6,877 toward the project + $344 admin fee
paid to TRF); D6000 DDF $11,842, TRF $15,281. Any cash from the RC of Matagalpa or DDF from D4240 would reduce the amounts needed from D6000 and its clubs.
RC Matagalpa's outstanding management of prior Rotary matching grant projects and its good working relationship with the Esquipulas local government suggest that this project will be very successful and that it merits support.
The online Global Grant application has been substantially completed and a *.pdf copy is available on request.
If you or your club would like to help sponsor this project, or would like more information, please contact Jim Peterson – jim-peterson@mchsi.com
Each of these projects was executed in partnership with an NGO, the latrines with AVODEC, an NGO based in Jinotega, founded and managed by Rotarian Victorino Centeno, and the bridge with Continental Crossings, the Iowa City affiliate of Bridges to Prosperity, the founders of which are also Rotarians. These two Rotary matching grant projects were very successful, with excellent oversight, stewardship and documentation provided by the Rotary Club of Matagalpa. After completion, each of the projects was visited by D6000 Rotarians.
In the case of the bridge project, another key collaborator was the municipality of Esquipulas, which assisted with transportation of materials, equipment rental and other logistical support needed in the course of the project.
The Project: The proposed project is for the construction of 85 latrines in the communities of La Pita, El Barro and Las Eneas, all in the municipality of Esquipulas (population 24,639). This project falls within the “Water and Sanitation,” “Maternal and Child Health” and “Disease Treatment and Prevention” Areas of Focus and will directly benefit 671 persons living in these three communities, which have a total population of 1,718. Currently many of the families there have inadequate latrines or defecate in the open, which allows breeding of insects that carry diseases, contaminates water and the environment and causes illness. Especially affected are young children and the elderly.
The proposed latrines have a “semi-elevated” design that uses a reinforced masonry chamber that is partly underground and partly above ground to hold waste and prevent it from leaking or leaching into surrounding soil. The seat is made of fiberglass, and the toilet enclosure is made of angle iron and galvanized sheet metal with a corrugated galvanized metal roof.
The life of the latrine is about four years, after which time a new chamber can be constructed and the existing enclosure and seat are moved to sit atop the new chamber. Families will be advised in planning for this eventual replacement so that they can set aside funds as needed.
In addition to the new latrines, families will be trained in the use, care and maintenance of the latrine, as well as receiving instruction in various matters of hygiene such as changing diapers, hand-washing, boiling cooking water, wiping after defecating, etc. A follow-up visit will take place six weeks after completion of the project to verify the correct use and care of latrines by families and to resolve any questions or doubts they may have.
Beneficiaries of the project will receive guidance in and be involved in the site selection and excavation for the latrine. Unskilled labor tasks, such as the excavation for the masonry chamber, will be performed by the beneficiaries.
The total cost of the project for 85 latrines, including all construction, fabrication, training and followup, is US$34,000. Assuming that all financing comes from the International Partner clubs and districts, financing would be as follows: D6000 club funds, $7,221 ($6,877 toward the project + $344 admin fee
paid to TRF); D6000 DDF $11,842, TRF $15,281. Any cash from the RC of Matagalpa or DDF from D4240 would reduce the amounts needed from D6000 and its clubs.
RC Matagalpa's outstanding management of prior Rotary matching grant projects and its good working relationship with the Esquipulas local government suggest that this project will be very successful and that it merits support.
The online Global Grant application has been substantially completed and a *.pdf copy is available on request.
If you or your club would like to help sponsor this project, or would like more information, please contact Jim Peterson – jim-peterson@mchsi.com