Liberia: Living Water Int’l Holds Open Defecation Free (ODF) Celebration
…Eight Communities Declared Open Defecation Free – By: WASH R&E “Media” Network – Eight communities in Kakata and Gibi Districts, Margibi County have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF).
A Natural Leader(R) receiving pocket size radio from LWI Country Director, Austin Nyaplue(L)
Citizen commending LWI for its CLTS Initiative
Natural Leaders posting with LWI Staff and Guests attending the ODF ceremony
Natural Leaders posting with LWI Staff and Guests attending the ODF ceremony
Tools provided by Living Water International to Natural Leaders
These communities were triggered for Community Led Total Sanitation Initiative by the Christian charity, Living Water International in February this year.
Before declaring the communities Open Defecation Free, the Government of Liberia carried out a verification and validation exercise in May this year to find out whether these communities met the requirement to be declared ODF.
The 8 Communities declared Open Defecation Free by the Government of Liberia include Zankaiquallah, Tormah, Johnkai, Fegbah, Nyarlowala Wiehn town, and Domue, Seebbah among others.
Speaking at celebrations marking the ODF status of the communities over the weekend, Margibi County Inspector, Tah Sackie commended Living Water International for its CLTS Initiative in the county.
Mr. Sackie reminded residents of communities declared ODF that LWI has played its part and that citizens have a bigger responsibility to maintain the improved sanitary conditions in their respective communities.
He assured Living Water International of the County’s cooperation in assisting the charity carried out its activities more effectively in Margibi County.
Making remarks, the Country Director of Living Water International, Austin Nyaplue, said his entity was in Margibi County to make a difference by working with the locals in improving the sanitary conditions of their respective communities.
Mr. Nyaplue said though the task is not easy, but with all hands on deck the issue of CLTS will be fully addressed in the County.
He said his entity will continue to support CLTS activities in Margibi County in particular, and Liberia at general.
The Christian charity Head cautioned Natural Leaders to be more vigilant making sure that their communities continue to remain clean.
He also appealed to citizens of the county for their cooperation in carrying out their function.
For some of the residents from communities declared ODF, the CLTS Initiative by Living Water International has assisted them greatly.
They noted that before the commencement of LWI’s ODF Initiative, the sanitary condition in their towns was very unhygienic.
The residents commended LWI for the Initiative, assuring the charity that all will be done by them to maintain the ODF status.
They noted that CLTS has helped them greatly to know the danger involved in not cleaning their communities.
Providing an overview of Community Led Total Sanitation in Liberia, a staff from the National Technical Committee at the Ministry of Health, Jallah Gayflor, said CLTS Initiative is intended to put the issue of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in their own hands as Liberians.
CLTS method encourages community residents to know the danger involved in keeping their surroundings clean .
Mr. Jallah said since the introduction of community Led Total Sanitation CLTS), has made tremendous progress in the country.
During the occasion, some residents were honored by Living Water International for their self-sacrificing services ensuring that their communities are clean.
The Natural Leaders and CLTS champions are individuals who whole heartedly embraced the idea of improved sanitation by triggering other communities in the absence of Living Water International hygiene promoters.
The Natural Leaders were provided wheel barrows, cutlasses, shovels and cutlasses, among others for the good work and to encourage them keep their respective communities clean.
