Composting Toilets for Ratu Meli Memorial School

Fiji Hub Achievement Report

13th May 2013 Ratu Meli Memorial School in the Yasawa Islands has a long history of water problems which have prevented the toilets from functioning properly. In 2012, using funds raised by the Singapore American School, GVI renovated the existing block of flush toilets. However, despite the refurbishment, low water levels in the borehole have restricted the use of the toilets as water levels can vary greatly from season to season. With no alternative facilities available at times and the resulting unhygienic conditions at the school, the parents of the 53 students who board at RMMS insisted that their children stay at home, with most missing three weeks of school. Following this incident, it became clear that there was a dire need to find a solution that would prevent the inevitable water scarcity during the dry season from affecting the attendance of students. Composting toilets presented the most logical resolution to this problem as they do not require water. The GVI Construction Team has now completed the first composting toilet at RMMS and is in the process of building a second so that the school has separate facilities for boys and girls. The composting toilets will serve as back-up for the flushing toilets, providing alternative facilities and also preventing the damage caused to the flushing toilets when there is not enough water. The solid waste generated from the composting toilets will be securely stored for 6 months to kill the existing pathogens at which point the waste is safe to use as fertilizer (EcoSan Club (2010) Sustainable Sanitation Practice: The ROSA project). The fertilizer will then be applied to the papaya and mango plantations in the nearby school fruit garden, which has also been recently established by GVI. In addition to the construction of the composting toilets, the GVI education volunteers will deliver lessons on the proper use of these facilities and how they function. These lessons will ensure that the composting toilets are used safely and hygienically by the pupils, and prevent unnecessary damage. These lessons will be incorporated into the hygiene and sanitation lessons that the volunteers are responsible for taking at least twice a month and will also help in the process of RMMS becoming recognized as a Blue School by the International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance.

Improving water security in the Yasawas is one of GVI Fijis key goals for the region where water is often scarce. If there is insufficient water for toilet facilities to function properly, preventing the safe disposal of human waste, then this can have harmful consequences for environment. Whilst there have been other composting toilets built in the Yasawas, the concept is underutilized. The Yasawas present the perfect location for composting toilets due to the regular water shortages during each dry season and a relatively low population density. With the necessary education, the composting toilets at RMMS will be a successful alternative to flush toilets and can potentially be replicated in the 3 other schools in the region. The toilets will help improve hygiene and sanitation, and in turn improve the quality of life for students and teachers. GVI Fiji