The National Sanitation and Hygiene Technical Committee (NSHTC) has declared Traditional Authority Ngolongoliwa in Thyolo district Open Defecation Free (ODF) following a verification exercise conducted in March 2024.
The NSHTC randomly sampled 343 households from the 10 villages within the impact area. At each household, the committee confirmed the availability, usage, and privacy of a safe latrine, the condition of the drop hole cover, the presence of a handwashing facility and proof of usage, and the availability of handwashing soap, according to the report from the District Coordination Team (DCT) to confirm the T/A.
The ODF status in the area has been achieved through the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) project that Habitat for Humanity Malawi is implementing with funding from the German Lions. The project aims to improve health and quality of life in the target communities of T/A Ngolongoliwa in Malawi.
T/A Ngolongoliwa has a total population of 35,059 people with 7,579 households. However, in July 2023, prior to the project intervention, only 3,788 households (representing 49.98%) had latrines out of the total households in the area. Among those households with latrines, 249 had latrines fitted with drop hole covers, 32 had handwashing facilities, and 7 had handwashing facilities with soap (6.6%, 0.8%, and 18.9% respectively).
HFH Malawi and Thyolo District Council embarked on a mission to enhance the sanitation and hygiene situation in Traditional Authority Ngolongoliwa through a participatory approach known as Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS). In this approach, Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) underwent training to facilitate CLTS activities. The activities commenced with triggering sessions, where communities became aware of their inadequate sanitation and hygiene practices and collectively agreed to cease open defecation. Community representatives, referred to as Natural Leaders, were selected and trained to conduct follow-ups to ensure that each household had constructed a latrine equipped with a drop hole cover and had access to a handwashing facility and soap for regular handwashing. Village heads and area development committees were also engaged in the process to achieve the desired outcomes.
The Thyolo District Council has officially confirmed that there has been a decline in cholera cases in T/A Ngongoliwa ever since Habitat for Humanity Malawi started operating in the area. Judgement Kumwenda, the District WASH Coordinator, stated,
“Cholera cases were widespread in TA Ngolongoliwa during the rainy season of 2022-23, but that is no longer the case in the current rainy season of 2023-2024. We credit this progress to the CLTS activities, which HFH Malawi has supported the Thyolo District Council with.”
In February 2024, all 46 villages in TA Ngolongoliwa successfully attained the expected standards of sanitation and hygiene. The District Coordinating Team (DCT) duly verified the Open Defecation Free (ODF) status of the area and subsequently referred it to the National Sanitation and Hygiene Technical Committee (NSHTC) for official certification.
HFH Malawi actively supported the implementation of Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) initiatives in TA Ngolongoliwa, making a significant contribution towards the elimination of open defecation practices. This accomplishment represents a major milestone for TA Ngolongoliwa and serves as a testament to the improved health, dignity, and environmental responsibility achieved by the community.
ODF communities experience a significant reduction in the risk of waterborne diseases. The provision of adequate sanitation facilities helps prevent the contamination of water sources, leading to a decrease in cases of diarrhea, cholera, and other related illnesses. Furthermore, access to proper toilets promotes better hygiene practices, thereby reducing the transmission of infections within the community.
Attaining ODF status ensures the implementation of appropriate human waste management practices, effectively preventing the pollution of rivers, lakes, and soil, and therefore contributing to environmental conservation. ODF communities play a vital role in maintaining cleaner environments. Additionally, access to private toilets enhances human dignity, particularly for women and girls, as it preserves their privacy and self-respect.
