Latrines Eradicate Diseases
Rural villages change open defecation habits, break taboos, and save lives
Even before FIOVANA came to his village, Chief Flavin knew the problem of open defecation was serious. Diarrhea was rampant, diseases were proliferating, and children were dying. The government had already warned his community about the risks, but ministry of health workers didn’t visit often, and the villagers of Tantsara remained unconvinced about the perils of open defecation.
“Before the project, there was no restriction at all, people were free to go wherever they wanted to, even next to their own houses or crop fields,” the village chief said. “In the early days, if I told them not to, they would simply wait for me to leave. Back then if I tried to manage the situation and tell them not to go wherever they pleased, they would think I am too strict, so I often dropped the subject.”
When field staff from the FIOVANA project first arrived, Flavin had low expectations for his community: if the villagers didn’t care before, why would they care now? He soon learned the project was about more than occasional visits and casual admonishments. Field agents provided frequent demonstrations on handwashing, clear information on the spread of diseases, and consistent follow-up on the progress of building latrines.
Flavin admits he had been discouraged by his community’s attitude toward life-and-death hygiene and sanitation. “It is not easy to convince people to change their behavior,” he said. “We don’t all have the same mindset.”
That mindset runs deep. According to Nestor, a Community Health Volunteer in the nearby village of Ambodivoahangy, open defecation is part of their traditional lifestyle, and to change it was considered taboo.
“Because our ancestors practiced open defecation, that became our culture,” he said. “Also, the thinking was: excrement is filthy, why would we contain it near our homes?”
Both Nestor and Flavin, in their respective communities, continued to work with FIOVANA to guide people away from harmful traditions and toward a healthier, more hygienic way of life. The results are a testament to their efforts.
Today, there are enough latrines and handwashing stations for every household in both communities.
Even the government has confirmed the change, officially declaring the two villages “Open Defecation Free” in 2023.
Eveline has observed the change firsthand. “I am thankful for the changes FIOVANA brought, especially with open defecation,” she said. “The situation was much worse in the past. Since we have used the latrines, the rate of diarrhea and disease has decreased significantly.”
And though she admits to letting her guard down with her toddler on occasion, the 18-month-old boy holds her accountable. “Even if I am relaxed with him, he refuses to defecate anywhere else but the latrine,” she said. “He is much healthier as a toddler than my firstborn was.”
Nestor is pleased with the changes.
“Now, we all clearly understand the purpose of the latrines and we are all satisfied,” he said. “Children used to be regularly sick with diarrhea and other illnesses. But now, there is a dramatic reduction in sickness among our children.”
