Learning session #8 Kyenjojo (November 09)

The 8th LeaPPS learning session for Kyenjojo district was held on November 26th. It focused on how to continue coordination and learning between government and civil society agencies and advocate for continued attention to software for sanitation and hygiene. The session focused mainly on 'looking ahead ' to define future roles, responsibilities, potential financing sources, and modalities for continuing learning sessions and maintaining or replicating the piloted technologies.

HEWASA gave an update of the action research progress since LeaPPS #7. Participants discussed different types of ecosan technologies and the reasons for promoting ecosan. They agreed that proper use and maintenance are key and that often people need to overcome initial disgust at reusing faeces and urine. However, 'seeing is believing'. The chairman Local Councelor (LC-3) of Katooke subcounty testified to have been among the people to resist introduction of ecosan. However, he now is a supporter. He realised that most of the people in his subcounty are interested in the potential benefits of ecosan.

Because the session only lasted 1 day, there was no field visit.
The session ended with agreements for action. The following points will be tabled at the DWSCC meeting:
1. Need to examine the Global Sanitation fund and procedures for accessing it.
2. How can the District support LeaPPS at subcounty level?
3. How can the District support replication of LeaPPS technologies in Kihura and Nyantungo subcounty?
4. Need for action to address the poor sanitation and hygiene situation in colleges and health centres.
5. Request district to commit funds for capacity building of masons in ecosan to expand on work already done by HEWASA.
6. HEWASA has managed to secure some funds for conduct learning sessions in 2010. District should discuss modalities of how and where this can be done in collaboration with local government and possibly other development partners.