“Is it worth celebrating the attained Open Defecation Free Status?”

The ultimate goal of Community Led Total Sanitation CLTS is that triggered communities achieve and maintain “Open Defecation Free” ODF status. As part of CLTS therefore, communities that attains this desired ODF status are recognized for their efforts and commitment. They are commemorated with an ODF celebration, rewarding communities for playing a dedicated role in improving their sanitation and hygiene practices, and truly taking ownership over their health. ODF celebrations are not like any other ordinary celebration that involves a lot of speeches. Even though many important people including politicians and non-politicians who can speak for more than an hour attended, the ODF celebrations comprised more of community members sharing their experience from OD to ODF, drama, dancing and eating save for the welcome remarks from area local council 1, brief speeches from the guest of honour and GOAL WASH Project Manager. Songs and drama with WASH messages on how an ideal homestead should look like, proper operation and maintenance of water points, sanitation facilities, proper handling of food and appreciation for ODF status were presented by the communities. I was very impressed by 50 year old Alice’s moulded HH latrine with a tippy tap, bathing shelter and rubbish pit displayed during the celebration. The art she used in moulding it clearly tells her understanding of the importance of a latrine and hand washing. Even though it was not for sale, I bought it at UGX 4000/= to enable participants see the value attached to latrine and hand washing. The comedian performance made by Tingobwo village children left everyone in laughter’s. They mobilised and triggered the villages, made follow ups which led to some villages attaining ODF. They were mimicking the GOAL WASH team what they normally do that resulted into the day’s celebration. The celebrating villages mobilized their own food and locally available items like firewood, beans, ground nuts and water. GOAL facilitated the celebration with 4 goats, 20 crates of sodas, 10 cantons of water, music, tents and chairs and awards (20 jerry cans and 20 basins to best households) during ODF celebrations for each of the 5 villages (Olingounga and Olyelowidyel in Kotomor sub county Agago district and Guculuduku, Tingobwo and Boroboro in Atanga sub county Pader district during the celebrations. All participants ate and danced to the maximum. This brings the number of declared ODF villages to 9 this year 2012 and many are promising. Encouraged by the celebration, other local and natural leaders from non ODF villages pledged to work hard to attain the same desired status. Generally, CLTS costs less as compared to any other approach like PHAST that involves material giving. GOAL Agago/Pader WASH team will therefore continue mobilizing and helping targeted communities and individuals understand the health risks of open defecation and use disgust and shame as “triggers” to promote action, which ultimately lead to the construction and exclusive use of locally‐built low‐cost household latrines. Lessons Learnt • All the 9 villages that were declared ODF pledged to sustain the attained status as well as being role models to other villages! • It significantly takes amount of time from six month to one year with frequency follow up for a village to attain ODF status. • Awarding of ODF community with a celebration and simple WASH promotion messages designed on T-Shirts, head scuffs, bungles is very much appreciated. Compiled by Teo Namata