The Network

The Implementation of SHAWN in Communities of Toro LGA is increasing awareness among communities to take action regarding their sanitation and hygiene issues. CLTS promotes Open Defecation Free Communities, not just owning and using latrines in the households but also in schools, worship centers, markets, motor parks and empowering women to be independent.

Anti Markus, a housewife, farmer and Volunteer Hygiene Promoter of Sabongari Zul, narrates her encounter with WASH and how it has turn things around for her household and community. In her own words she says,

“As an advocate of women empowerment and my active involvement in WASH interventions in our community, enabled my empowerment to be independent and self-reliant. There are about Ten (10) active women groups in my community which are attributed to WASH activities and I belong to Two (2) groups namely: Sabongari Zul Women Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society and Alfijir T/Durumi Women Cooperative Society. I served as Secretary in both groups.

WASH has enabled me to promote sanitation in the community thereby ensuring healthy living at household and community levels on daily basis and monthly basis respectively. I also enlightened other women on the importance of self-reliance through empowerment such as Groundnut Oil Production, Soap and Cosmetics Making, Soya-beans and beans cake making, Tailoring and Grading Machine Operation etc. for income generation and weekly/monthly contributions among the women groups as self-help and to prevent total dependence on their husbands for survival. Similarly, widows train their children through the empowerment scheme in the community. 

Hence, myself and a group of women have taken it upon ourselves to continue promoting cleanliness in the community at least once a month to remind people about the importance of sanitation and hygiene. Our children are learning and will grow up with a good sense of sanitation and hygiene, because they are change agents.”