Yucka, Bolivia

- About Yucka, Bolivia -

Yucka is an agricultural community about 100 miles northwest of La Paz, a major city in Bolivia. Yucka is a sizable community with approximately 150 households. The entire community, with a size around 10 square kilometers, is divided into five zones that function as sub-districts of the larger community. Each zone has its own meeting places and leaders to resolve local issues, as shown in figure 1. Three kilometers south of Yucka lies the more developed village of Escoma. Yucka relies on this village for most of their necessities.

- Problem -

The community of Yucka, Bolivia lacks permanent latrine infrastructure, and thus community members often defecate in open areas, a practice that increases the risk of infectious disease within the community. The World Health Organization estimates that inadequate sanitation causes 432,000 diarrheal deaths annually, and frequent diarrhea increases the risk of malnutrition among children.

- Solution -

The EWB-IIT Bolivia project will focus on amending the lack of latrines in the community to improve overall health. Our chapter will be constructing sanitary latrines for the community to use. The chosen latrine alternative will help enable the community members to practice proper sanitation techniques and reduce risk of illness that would result from poor hygiene. To further increase the effectiveness of the latrines and to improve public health, the project implementation process will include training for the residents on how to properly use the sanitation equipment, as well as education on how disease spreads through improper sanitation.

- - Alternatives - -

Alternative 1

Ventilated Double-Pit Latrine, Single Structure

This alternative includes two structures consisting of a men’s and women's occupational latrine. Each gender-specific latrine contains two pits and two thrones. One throne is used for six months, allowing the pit below to collect the waste. After six months of use, this pit is sealed to allow for decomposition over the next six months while the other throne and pit are used. The urine will be collected in a different compartment of the throne and diverted outside of the latrine to allow the waste to be used as compost.

Alternative 2

Ventilated Double-Pit Latrine, Combined Structure

This alternative is a ventilated double pit latrine that consists of four thrones and two separate pits for decomposition of waste, allowing for a longer lasting and more sanitary structure. For a period of six months, only one pit will be used, after which this pit will be covered to allow for decomposition over the next six months while the other pit is used. During this time, the waste in the first pit will become safe to remove and potentially be used as fertilizer. Odor would be controlled by a vented shaft from the two pits.

Alternative 3

Ventilated Double-Pit Latrine, Combined Structure With Solar

Alternative 3 is a ventilated double pit latrine that consists of four thrones and two pits with the addition of solar panels. This alternative has an identical superstructure as the Alternative 2 option, but with a solar energy aspect added to the design. With the addition of solar panels, the latrine will be sustainably ventilated and will include a light inside the latrine. The solar system will include a solar panel, light, fan, and batteries, allowing this latrine to have its own power source. A central system will be implemented that can easily reach all four pits/toilets. The light and fan will be added to one switch and turned on as the user chooses.

- - Before - -

The latrines present in the community are adobe pit latrines, all in various states of disrepair (with missing walls, collapsed pits, etc.). As shown in figures 1-4, decaying latrines were documented in the assessment trip, essentially showing that the current latrine infrastructure is either non-existent, or broken and ineffective

--After--

The full latrine structure has been built. Due to COVID-19-related setbacks, a remote implementation was used through a hired contractor and the assistance of community members. The latrine includes double, side-by-side pits with pit doors and four urine-diverting toilets in two separate bathroom divisions. Masonry walls and galvanized roofs were also put in place.

--Post Implementation--

After overcoming many challenges, Illinois Tech students were finally able to return to Bolivia! Over spring break of 2024 EWb-IIT sent four students to close out the project.

Visiting the Latrine

After months of recieving updates on the latrines progress over the phone, project and travel team members finally got to see their hard work come to life!

Staying with the Community

Not only did the team have the opportunity to meet the community that their hardwork impacted, they also stayed with them! The community opened up their gathering space for our members to stay a night.

The Bolivia Project team is incredibly grateful to the community of Yucka for sticking with us throughout the challenges of Covid-19 and for giving us the opportunity to build our cultural relationship. The impact of this latrine goes far beyond just one community!

EWB-IIT Thank You Video.mp4

Please take the time to watch a short video of the community coming together to celebrate.

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