Have Public Toilet Block

The village chiefs of Have, a large village in the Volta Region, approached the Mad Foundation for assistance in building and funding a much needed and wanted public toilet block. Villagers had no toilet facility within their own homes and generally were forced into the bush for toilet activity, with such a large population this was posing a great risk to health and encouraging the spread of disease and was a source of embarrassment and shame for the village population.

The plan drafted by the village committee and later approved for support by the Mad Foundation was to build a ten-seater water closet in the centre of the community. It was decided that based upon the environment and population size a fully flushing facility would prove more hygienic, sustainable and dignified than than a dug pit based option. The village committee had already fundraised enthusiastically but were a long way off finding the much needed total.

A team of local volunteers and a team of UK volunteers started worked together on the building of the toilet block. The initial work was very tough, with a large deep pit having to be dug for a septic tank with a corresponding drainage system. As the project was nearing completion and the toilet block itself was being built, unusually heavy rains came and caused water damage to the septic tank.

After this set-back the volunteers worked quickly determined to complete the project when the UK volunteers would return home. Due to the dedication of the villagers and all the volunteers the toilets were completed to a usable standard by their deadline.The villagers were truly delighted and proud of their new toilet block and hope to add needed finishing touches.

John Lawler founder of the Mad Foundation, in Ghana at the time, was invited to the village by the chief and was able to take part alongside all the UK volunteers in a wonderful closing ceremony where the village expressed its gratitude and pride.