The same landscape that has blessed Bhutan with its breathtaking beauty also imposes major obstacles in laying down public infrastructure. Lying on the shadow of the Himalayas, much of the country is mountainous, which makes installing conventional sewerage and sanitation systems very difficult. About 30% of people in the South Asian country live in environments where safe and hygienic toilets are inaccessible.
A treacherous terrain imposes obstacles on laying down public infrastructure
Among those living in difficult environments are numerous schools where children have no access to hygienic toilets.
In schools, outdoor pump toilets are common. However, conventional pump-toilets had problems such as bad odor and durability. An organization called the Bhutan Toilet Organization (BTO) was born to overcome this obstacle. BTO’s search for better alternatives led it to SATO, whose solutions fulfill all the requirements for safe and hygienic toilets.
Low cost, quick and easy to install, SATO Toilets are clean and durable and ideal for the environment in Bhutan. Hence BTO partnered with Japanese NGOs in a major project to roll out SATO Toilets installations nationwide.
Sanitation improvement begins with a donation from SATO Toilets
Today, one in four people on earth does not have access to a safe and sanitary toilet. Bhutan with a population of 754,000 has become world-famous for its advocacy of “Gross National Happiness” ethos, a holistic alternative to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) typically used to measure national progress. The provision of better sanitation is a major step to live up to that ideal.
The "Toilets for All" project by LIXIL, SATO’s parent company, aims to raise awareness and understanding regarding this situation and promote the use of safe and sanitary toilets. The project was launched in 2017 to contribute to the improvement of the sanitary environment for people around the world. SATO Toilets donated a total of 1,000 units during the past two phases, as part of the Minnani Toilet Project.
A total of 497 traditional toilets were upgraded with SATO Toilets by June 2019 ahead of schedule in five regions: Timbou, Siemgang, Samtse, Chukha, and Bunakha through the ‘Safe and Clean Toilets in Bhutan's Schools’ initiative.
Transformation leads to community engagement
What began as a modest plan to install toilets in schools morphed into a national movement to improve sanitation as increasing awareness around hygiene and sanitation spreads.
Children and the communities around schools where SATO toilets have been installed now have access to safe and clean toilets. The people have realized that SATO toilets not only improve health, they are also safe and comfortable to use. The people's attitude is changing after the installation, such as communities working proactively on maintenance and upkeep to keep it clean.
Acknowledging the success of the project, the endeavor of making school toilets clean and safe has become a major national initiative endorsed by the government. The progress of this project not only supports healthy living but also leads to renewed hope for the children.
Ministry of Education initiates purchase order for more units:
It is evident that people's attitudes have changed since their installation, as they are actively working to preserve and maintain them in a clean condition. In recognition of this achievement, the activity to make school toilets "safe and clean" has become a major project recommended by the government and the national government.
The instant impact of the SATO Toilet solutions led to a purchase by Bhutan Toilet Organization (BTO). The 1,400 units will be shipped to Bhutan in 2020 and installed in schools across the country.
Also, further attention is being paid to the activities of the BTO, whose association with SATO has become central to the provision of safe and hygienic toilets to Bhutan schools. The project received the highest commendation in the country when it was recognized nationally by the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Education and was featured on national television.
The movement of "improving not only the toilet itself but also the environment around the toilet" is also spreading. As a result, the exterior of the toilets, most of which had no doors, is being rebuilt.
The project has also expanded beyond schools to the communities where toilets are being converted to SATO units. The day may soon come when everyone in Bhutan will have access to safe and sanitary toilets.
Are you concerned about the state of sanitation in your country, city, or neighbourhood? Reach out to SATO Toilets on email and let us forge towards better sanitation for all, together - sato@lixil.com.