Village level water and sanitation (VLWS)

The project was implemented by CARE. The project met or exceeded most targets, achieving 100% of targets for constructing rudimentary water systems and 102% of targets for handpump well installation. By way of exception, only 1,690 of a targeted 1,832 ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines were constructed; however, the latrines were so positively regarded by communities that construction is in many cases likely to continue independently. Fifty-three percent of families are using water provided by the project as their main source of domestic water, though a significant percentage continue to use rainwater for drinking and cooking. Latrine usage has increased from 76% to 90%, and latrine sanitation conditions to over 80%. The availability of data from an initial baseline study was a key resource for evaluating the project"s success. The project was highly successful in promoting community participation in the design, construction, and management of W/S systems. On the negative side, the health education component was not a success. The practice of developing school modules and training teachers in a few isolated schools is not sustainable. Most of the teachers trained by the project were transferred to other schools, taking the modules with them. Also, while CARE project staff were highly motivated, their management skills need improvement. Finally, siting of latrines is becoming increasingly problematic because of smaller lots resulting from population growth. Recommendations include the following. (1) USAID and CARE should continue to collaborate informally in W/S efforts in Belize, even though the formal link embodied by the project no longer exists. (2) Future projects should pay more attention to rainwater as a source of potable water. (3) Communities should be given a choice among alternative water technologies so that they may chose the one which is most appropriate to their needs and resources; operations research should be conducted as appropriate. (4) Health education components of W/S projects should focus on a few key messages most relevant to community behavior and hygiene practices; to be sustainable, health education should be formally integrated into the school system. (5) W/S projects should emphasize strong community participation and management. (6) Alternative latrine models should be tested, particularly in coastal areas, where the water table is low. Two main lessons were learned. (1) Community participation is essential to both the success and sustainability of water and sanitation projects. (2) Baseline surveys, though time consuming, are essential to accurate measurement of project achievements. NOTE: Abstract contains information from XD-ABE- 303-A.