RWANDA

Rwanda Project Overview

Matyazo, Rwanda

Currently, EWB-TAMU is serving the community of Matyazo, Rwanda. Through the implementation of latrines and effective sanitations habits, we hope to positively impact this growing and wonderful community!

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The Rwanda project team focuses on facilitating community access to affordable sanitation and increasing agricultural income for food security in Matyazo, Rwanda by:

  • Designing and implementing 500 composting latrines

  • Incorporating a hand-washing station

  • Using local materials and labor

  • Educating the community on sanitation

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Highest Priority Needs

  • Poor sanitation and resulting health challenges​

  • Want toilets and hand-washing posts​

  • 64% unimproved sanitation and 18% open defecation (Cranfield University study)​

  • Cost is major hindrance

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The Community

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  • Rural, highland community of Ngororero District (Western province of Rwanda)​

  • 6143 people​

  • 1205 households​

  • Majority farmers​

  • 52% female & 48% male​

  • Poor fertile soil​

  • Main crops: potatoes, beans, bananas, maize

Community Support

  • Community will provide non-industrial locally available materials​

  • People have mobilized and will cover 5% of cost of project through monthly contributions​

  • Estimated cost: $73,600​

  • All households willing to participate (Goal: 500 households)​

  • Primary goals of community

    • Improved public health​

    • Increasing agricultural income​

  • Estimated 3,234 people will benefit from 500 latrines

Areas of Interest

Water

Main water sources:​

  • Open source

  • springs

  • Piped gravity system

  • Rainwater collection

​Water treatment:​

  • Filtration (LifeStraw)

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Sanitation & Hygiene

Types of toilets in community:​

  • Open defecation

  • Pit latrines​

Condition of accessible latrines:

  • Overused 

  • Sanitation is poor

Hygiene​

  • Most hand-washing done in bowl or cup​

  • Most households do have some form of hand-washing

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Infrastructure & Geological Challenges

  • Electricity comes from municipal grid​

    • Power outages once a week​​

  • Transportation: footpaths​

  • Steep hillsides​

  • Natural disasters

    • Landslides ​

    • Excessive rain

      • causes crops not to grow​​

  • No river or creek close to community

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Timeline

2020​

Traveled to Matyazo on Assessment Trip to speak with community leaders and survey the land

2021​

Finalized latrine designs & began implementing pilot latrines remotely

2019

Rwanda Project adopted & meetings begin

2020​

Launched composting latrine design phase

January 2022​

Travel to the community on an Implementation Trip to construct two latrines and construct 25 throughout the year remotely

Rwanda Project Leads

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How to Join

If you’re a new member, check out our “New Members” page or follow the steps below:

  1. Fill out the membership form to become a member of EWB

  2. Pay dues

  3. Join the GroupMe for both EWB and the Rwanda team

  4. Attend meetings

Membership Form
Pay Dues

Main GroupMe

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Rwanda Meetings
Mondays | 7PM | HEB 219
Weekly

Rwanda GroupMe

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