
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!
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
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
The Community

-
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)



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




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


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

How to Join
If you’re a new member, check out our “New Members” page or follow the steps below:
-
Fill out the membership form to become a member of EWB
-
Pay dues
-
Join the GroupMe for both EWB and the Rwanda team
-
Attend meetings
Main GroupMe

Rwanda Meetings
Mondays | 7PM | HEB 219
Weekly
Rwanda GroupMe
