Overview

Our partners have been working with and living alongside the poorest village people in southern Laos for twenty years. Entrust is funding the WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) part of a large project in this area. This provides 4 villages with a proper source of clean water, latrines for most households and hygiene education and training in maintaining the latrine and water system. These four villages were selected because water borne infections are most prevalent here and the water and sanitation equipment is the least developed.

Why support this

Our partner is working with the village community leaders and provides a water expert to assist the village in needs assessment, planning and construction work. The community is involved at every stage of the project. A committee has been created and is being trained throughout the project. These leaders have started an accounting system in the village, are organising the construction work, and learning about maintenance. Similar projects have been implemented already in the same province with great success, especially in terms of ownership by the population.

Budget

This is a 3-year project with a total budget of $104,000. The budget for year 2 is $42,500.

Expected Life Change

• 60% of the households in these target villages will have treated, drinking water in their homes.
• 80% of the village people will have access to an improved water source close to their homes.
• People in these villages will have access to latrines and the education to understand why sanitation and hygiene is so important for the health of their families. This will lead to a decrease in diarrhea and other water borne diseases and an increase in health and productivity.