The definition of dignity:
“the importance and value that a person has, that makes other people respect them or makes them respect themselves”
Who would have thought you could spell dignity: T-O-I-L-E-T.
Ecuador from the Heart wants to thanks FV, Solutions Staffing, Travel Nurse and Airline Ambassadors,
Together we were able to provide dignity to so many. The power of collaboration!
This project met with multiple delays but in the end, 43 toilets were installed. Labor was a mix of paid local workers, community mingas or by individual family efforts.
Coming back full circle!
The delays ranged from community unrest, deaths, a shooting, and impassable roads due to rain. These roads are still impassable many months later as you can glimpse in the video.
The longest delay was waiting for the construction of the sewer system to be completed. After more than a year of waiting, the sewer system is still not fully functioning. During the inauguration day of the new system, sewage backed up into the streets. We decided to bypass the system and proceed with the original poso construction we started with! Once the sewer system is repaired, we can tie the bathrooms in.
We got tired of waiting!
The toilets were supplied into family homes of those living in extreme poverty. Where they would use a pail or bag to dispose of their human waste, or borrow from neighbors where they could.
A local church and their center hall also received 3 toilets and sinks, thereby providing a larger group access to such a basic hygienic need. This in turn helped to improve the overall wellness of the community.
To provide toilets to nearly 10% of the homes in the barrio was a major accomplishment that we are very proud of. In the future, we would love to continue our efforts to supply remaining homes as needed.
Thanks to everyone for their patience, their support and for understanding, not every project or progress runs in a straight line.
