2007

Indigo – a natural dye (Indigo is derived from a plant species Indigoferra tinctoria) was re discovered at the time when Kantha became a contemporary product of the artisans’ group in Rajendrapur. I was asked to explore the opportunity in Indigo in order to add value as natural dyed fabrics in producing quilt in the revival process. I then started a small experiment on this but I initially failed. Then I repeated two – three times again but could not do anything to extract Indigo. Considering my eagerness on this issue, project management arranged a training for me on Indigo extraction in India where I worked for couple of weeks and finally learnt indigo extraction.

Checking indigo processing quality. Photo Credit: AD Roy

There was a massive indigo cultivation that took place in most of the open defecation ground, road side, fellow land because of this indigo revolution. NLs & other group members leased in land from local UP Chairman (Union Parishad – UP under Local Government) and better off people. Men usually prepared land and sown seed and women looked after and nursing the plant, proved irrigation and women all together and started cultivation of indigo which created an environment to get involved in economic opportunities. I had a previous knowledge on tea extraction procedure in UK based organization which helped me to understand the overall phenomena of indigo extraction and production in last 3-4 years. This is an extremely labor intensive process to produce dye stuff from extraction to finished product. All group members organized themselves and started indigo production. Community people, NLs and other artisan took lease 20 kilometer long road side land from Chairman of local government (Union Parishad Chairman) to plant indigo and indigo seed production.

Indigo extraction and production is a big and remarkable momentum in my professional life that has really given opportunity to those who built “solidarity and confidence” to stop open defecation and reduce poverty in their life. I had to spend a considerable time for indigo extraction and product plant in order to maximize production and quality as well as purity percentages compare with other international market. I finally successfully manufactured the desired quantities of indigo (1000 kg per season-3 months production) and used the effluent and other bi products such as compost, for rice and vegetable production in the communities in OD ground and fellow land. 

2008:

Work in Indigo field. Photo Credit: AD Roy

When indigo plant was set up there was a movement to scale up these initiatives as institutions and enterprise. Once this was agreed by all NLs and artisans, I started to organize them and did number of formalities for developing organization. Primarily it was decided that name would be Nijera Cottage and Village Industries (NCVI). To develop this organization we had to complete all formalities with a board of directors selected from the artisans group. Artisans were recognized as owners of the organization, while their identities are still as workers. It was established as artisan’s owned social enterprise which was registered in Department of Stock Exchange in Bangladesh government. It was the first time for me to take responsibility bring a team of 7 members consisting of artisans and project staff to participate in a fair trade (Dastkar)-Delhi. We were able to exhibit out contemporary quilts, scarf and other fashionable fabrics to international experts, buyer and local communities. We recognized there was extraordinary indigo dyed stitched/quilted stuff in the sub continent. NCVI’s earnings from that fair was approximately USD 12000 as the first income for this organization.

Apurba Deb Roy is Community Development Specialist, CARE Bangladesh.

This is the second blog in a three – part series on ‘Beyond Just CLTS – Bangladesh’ by the author.

The post Beyond Just CLTS, Bangladesh: Fostering Enterprise and Innovation (Part 2) appeared first on CLTS Foundation Global.

It made me happy when on a remarkable day we successfully triggered Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach in Rajendrapur village in Rangpur district to stop open defecation. At that time I was working in a project Nijeder Janya Nijera (We, for ourselves), herein referred as “Nijera” funded by DFID. Nijera project worked towards reducing poverty through self-realization process under social development initiatives in northern districts of Bangladesh. I received hands-on training on Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) from Dr. Kamal Kar who was working with CARE Bangladesh to look into the problem of monga (seasonal hunger), which was a key salient feature of the northern districts that led to starvation, scarcity of job, migration and other insecurities in their daily life. Along with monga, open defecation was one of the major problems in the communities of Rangpur district, as a result people of the communities became victims of a diseases such as diarrhea, cholera etc. and then plunged into unexpected death. Mostly women and children were the victims in the community because of open defecation.

Facilitating a session before CLTS triggering. Photo courtesy: AD Roy

Early 2005

During the triggering there were number of Natural Leaders (who naturally emerged in CLTS ignition sessions, boosted up & took responsibility to stop open defecation). It was unbelievable that within a few hours there was a seed of “solidarity” sown in the community. I was assigned with helping the group of NLs and extremely poor households to use their solidarity and confidence to rise out of poverty. Finally the practice of open defecation ended first in their village and they were (NLs & other influential members) gradually successful in inspiring nearby villages to become open defecation free. Since they could end open defecation, all NLs committed to use their solidarity to end monga.

Facilitating a session before triggering of CLTS. Photo courtesy: AD Roy

Mid-2005

I was asked to develop an alternative economic opportunity for the community and project beneficiary groups. Immediately, I took the opportunity to work with NLs who had successfully ended open defecation. Meanwhile, I tried to facilitate the concept of alternative economic opportunity with NLs and poverty-stricken families.

During the course of work, all NLs suddenly stopped their work as there were problems encountered by the community. Most of them faced a severe problem of fixed-point open defecation due to the rains damaging parts of the toilet. However, once it is experienced, all the NLs and artisans sat together and find out the solution to overcome these problems. NLs facilitated and demonstrated a bamboo made ring /hole to protect erosion and advised them all to dig out another hole nearby existing hole and put a bamboo ring/hole as a liner of the hole. Similarly, they were instructed to put a shed over the latrine which really solved the problem for everyone. After this breakdown, all NLs came back to start again for finding out the economic opportunities.

Apurba facilitating a session on Kheta (kantha) with Natural leaders. Photo courtesy: AD Roy

Late 2005

In addition to my normal duties of Action Research Coordinator, I had to do some work as small group of project staff where I also tried to explore economic opportunities along with Rajendrapur. We basically tried to explore opportunities using inherent knowledge of the community people. One day few women artisans brought some “kheta” (Kantha in Bengali – a stitched quilt using old fabrics of saari) and started discussion to do something with this as economic opportunity. I picked up and started work with them to revive Kantha. There was a long journey to revive “kheta” we hired Tushar Kumar an extra ordinary designer in Indian sub-continent who basically helped to improve “kheta” for it’s designing, developing contemporary designing with different product ranges for high end market and local markets to earn maximum from the quilt under village industry concept for the artisans and their family.

2006

We started initiative for revival of Kantha with these women who are used to produce two to three kheta normally in a year that earned them TK 300-800. NLs and we were able to identify number of women those who had really good skills on stitching work. Kantha work was running in full swing and mostly women found interested to get involved with the initiatives. I spent a considerable amount of time to work with the artisans for providing training on designing, embroidery work, pricing and leveling etc. More than 300 artisans received training from four different areas of Rangpur, Dinajpur, Gaibandha and Lalmonirhat districts respectively. 30 artisans became Master Artisan out of 300 in these areas.

Apurba Deb Roy is Community Development Specialist, CARE Bangladesh.

This is the first blog in a three – part series on ‘Beyond Just CLTS – Bangladesh’ by Apurba. 

The post Beyond Just CLTS, Bangladesh – Series 1: Fostering Enterprise and Innovation appeared first on CLTS Foundation Global.

Dr. Geetha during one of her visits in a district in Chhattisgarh. Photo courtesy

In an interview to Dr. Kamal Kar and Amit Sengupta, the Mission Director of Swachh Bharat Mission, Chhattisgarh, Dr. M. Geetha talks on how her state is on a mission mode and creating a trailblazer effect on tackling open defecation by creating an enabling environment in the state.

Amit Sengupta: As the Mission Director of Swachh Bharat Mission, Chhattisgarh, do you see the progress of SBM in your state?

Dr. M. Geetha: We began the Swachh Bharat Mission in the state on 2^nd October 2014 and at that time there were only 20 open defecation free villages throughout the state. Today, as we talk, there are 1644 ODF villages in the state. We don’t give upfront incentives to the households for construction of toilets. There is flexibility in the policy and often it is upto the Village Water and Sanitation Committee to decide. We are working on this approach to tackle the problem of open defecation.

We have made tremendous progress in the last almost one and a half years. We feel confident that we have followed a pattern. We have to understand that the communities are not homogeneous mix. They are a heterogeneous group of people of different caste, creed and ethnicity. Often, different dynamics play a crucial factor while dealing with the communities. We have to be aware of those dynamics.

Amit Sengupta: Recently, some new ODF Blocks has made headlines…

Dr. M. Geetha: Yes. Tow ODF Blocks – Ambagarh Chowki and Churya in the district of Rajnandgaon have been declared as open defecation free. We have not just focused on rural sanitation in these two blocks. We have moved towards and incorporated urban sanitation as well. The efforts take a lot of time and we just cannot jump from one stage to the other since we have to follow a pattern.

Geetha with other members of a local Self Help Group in Chhattisgarh. Photo: Kamal Kar/CLTS Foundation Global

When communities come together it unites them towards a common goal and vision. It binds them for a common cause and they are able to see the benefits of working towards that common goal. During those exercises and community participation and triggering, natural leaders emerge and lead from the frontlines of the grassroot movement. Bringing the community together ensures the sustainability of the project and sustainability of the open defecation free status.

Dr. Kamal Kar: But open defecation still exists and women are the worst victims?

Dr. M. Geetha: We also insist that, to ensure this behavioral change, while the state has suggested that while we could give some incentives to families and communities. The state of Chhattisgarh has focused on the communities rather than the individuals. As a result its not family, but a set of families in the Gram, village or in the Panchayats, which are important. Even the incentives, it comes later. Once the community achieved the status, the money that comes in, which we call as incentive, is then utilized for a community purpose.

Dr. Kamal Kar: So the efficiency of utilization goes many times more?

Dr. M. Geetha: Absolutely, and it is also about, the neighbors supporting the people who are not well of.

Dr. Kamal Kar: So you meant to say – total solidarity?

Dr. M. Geetha: Absolutely. I think it is the solidarity that is being built through the communities, and mission is able to achieve that once the community is triggered and brought to the notion that, sanitation and safe sanitation is towards better life.

Amit Sengupta: As the mission director of Swachh Bharat Mission how do you ensure the monitoring of the project?

Dr. M. Geetha: We have a robust monitoring system in place. There are three Consultants who report to me. Each of these 3 Consultants have a responsibility to manage 9 districts. They arrange for at least one visit to each of these districts every month. We have weekly follow up and review meetings at the district level. We get the District Collectors for the review meeting through online and video conferencing.

I also travel regularly and in particular divisions for three-four days at a stretch. As part of these regular monitoring visits, a lot of mid-course corrective measures follow. It’s a continuous process. Reviewing and follow-up are ensured to keep track of the SBM.

We also use technology to ensure monitoring and keeping track of progress real time. We have created several WhatsApp Group (there are 3 WhatsApp group – one for the District Collectors, second for the Zilla Parishads and third for the NGO partners and their staffs) for continuous engagement. We are also on Facebook and Twitter. I reply to every query before I go to bed.

Geetha interacting with the community in one of the districts in Chhattisgarh. Photo courtesy

Amit Sengupta: What do you think are the advantages of the community-led total sanitation approach that your state is implementing?

Dr. M. Geetha: As I was talking about the monitoring and constant interaction with the machinery, we want to engage the community. It’s not easy to break long existing taboos. We have experienced that sustainability becomes questionable when the community is not involved. Once they are onboard, they take ownership of the process and it becomes easier for us to sustain the status of an ODF village or unit.

It’s all about building and empowering the community. We are more hopeful now.

Amit Sengupta: I remember, in one of the sessions chaired by Dr. Kamal Kar at SACOSAN VI Conference, Dhaka you mentioned about the problem of dysfunctional toilets. How do you plan to tackle that?

Dr. M. Geetha: Dysfunctional toilets are not just a problem of Chhattisgarh. They are there in every state. There may be difficulties as we go ahead but we have got to move ahead. We continue to support our panchayats in tackling this problem. We have told them that they can try and get funds allocated under the 14^th Finance Commission to identify and support people of economically weaker sections to rebuild or repair their toilets.

The district of Rajnandgaon has taken their own initiatives in improving their dysfunctional toilets. Surguja district has declared their two blocks as ODF. Bilaspur district is showing tremendous progress as well. So, overall we are improving the status of lack of toilets and sanitation.

Interacting with villagers during a monitoring visit. Photo courtesy.

Dr. Kamal Kar: Geetha, Chhattisgarh has got 27 districts. Do you think that in the next couple of years with the great innovative action, I mean the kind of initiative that you have started, do you think that in next the 1 and 1 ½ years, this state would become one of the leading state in terms of showing this as an example for the whole country by achieving, very close to 100% ODF status?

Dr. M. Geetha: We are very optimistic. We feel that, instead of talking about individuals, and perhaps talking only of certain villages or certain blocks or certain districts, we are talking about the state as a whole. We are trying to trigger communities and we are going through all the methods possible, to achieve, you know community empowerment. We have provided some flexibility to the districts, to have their own strategies and the state has taken a pledge that it will follow the Community-Led-Total-Sanitation method. Once the state has pledged towards this then the districts are aware of it and we are all working towards this goal.

The state has also taken a stand that we should work towards empowering communities completely towards ODF by December 2018 as an outcome, and we shall work towards Dec 2018 and not wait for 2019, and work towards that through the communities.

Amit Sengupta: Which District do you think will attain the status of the first ODF District in Chhattisgarh?

Dr. M. Geetha: We are on a mission mode and attain the status as fast as possible. We have to ensure the coverage of sanitation from one village to another. We have not hired ‘motivators’ but what we are sending is a particular team of ‘CLTS practitioners’. These teams also monitor whether there is a follow-up after triggering in the community or not.

I think the district of Mungeli will attain the status of the first ODF District in Chhattisgarh. The district has launched a campaign called ‘Sankalp Swachh Mungeli’. It’s a district of 3 Blocks and 375 GPs and hopefully it will show the pathway to similar other districts in the next two-three years.

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About 88 percent of diarrhoea-associated deaths are attributable to unsafe water, inadequate sanitation, and insufficient hygiene. Nearly two billion people from across the world today lack access to basic sanitation, and millions die from waterborne diseases, mainly caused by faecal oral contamination and poor sanitation.

According to a 2015 report of John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, India carries the highest burden of pneumonia and diarrheoa deaths in children, accounting for one out of five child deaths due to the two diseases. Of the projected 5.9 million deaths of children (aged less than five) in 2015 across the world, pneumonia was the top killer at 16 percent, while diarrheoa came second at nine percent share globally.

According to UNICEF, 48 percent of children in India who are younger than five years of age are stunted, meaning almost half of these children suffer from chronic undernutrition during the most critical periods of growth and development in early life.

However, the journey has been different for our neighbours. According to the 2015 JMP Report, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan have all achieved reductions of more than 30 percentage points since 1990 in the percentage of population practising open defecation. Bangladesh has reduced the percentage of population defecating in the open from 34 percent in 1990 to one percent in 2015. Nepal has reduced it from a shocking 88 percent in 1990 to 32 percent in 2015, while in Pakistan, the percentage has gone from 49 percent to 13 percent in the same span of 25 years.

India, on the other hand, despite projecting better growth numbers and GDP, continues to be the country with the highest number of people practicing open defecation: around 600 million people or nearly half of the population.  Most of it occurs in rural areas, where the prevalence is estimated at 65 percent of the population. For a country taking pride in its military might, space probe and GDP growth, these are pretty humiliating numbers.

The road ahead for India was discussed at the International conclave ‘Beyond Just Toilets – Fast tracking an Open Defecation Free South Asia’, organised on January 10, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Representatives from India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka together dreamt of an open defecation-free South Asia. These representatives included policy and decision makers, practitioners, and programme managers from at least 30 different organisations across South Asia.

The conclave was organised jointly by Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) Foundation and Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), Geneva. CLTS has played a pivotal role in improving sanitation standards in Bangladesh, and later in other Asian and African countries (with India being an exception). The concept of CLTS involves provoking shame and disgust about poor sanitation in order to bring about change. Such sustained behaviour change in mainly rural people goes a long way in reducing open defecation.

CLTS was first applied by Kamal Kar in Bangladesh. In just about a decade’s time, the country has witnessed unprecedented transformation. Speaking at the conclave, Dr Kar, Chairman of the CLTS Foundation Global, said, “I distinctly remember the day when I was introducing CLTS through my keynote speech at the inaugural technical session of the first SACOSAN held here in Dhaka in 2003. CLTS was only two years old at the time when access to basic sanitation in Bangladesh was around 35 percent. Open defecation was rampant in rural Bangladesh.”

Over the last decade, through local community empowerment, Bangladesh has achieved a nearly open defecation-free status. Once a country with the highest rate of infant mortality in the world, Bangladesh has transformed itself radically.

The same had been the experience from Nepal, as presented by Sudha Shrestha, Acting Chief Technical Advisor/GSF Programme Manager, UN-HABITAT, Nepal. While speaking to the gathering, Sudha said that after the recent earthquake in Nepal, the affected communities started building up their toilets first and then their houses. An impact of positive behaviour change was also seen when there were very few diarrhoea cases reported after the earthquake.

These examples in drastically reducing child mortality and human drudgery in such a short time can be emulated by India too. According to Sujoy Majumdar of UNICEF India, the Swachh Bharat Mission has the potential to imitate the success story of Bangladesh. Effort is being made to intensely involve and engage local government, NGOs and civil society organisations to create more public awareness, which is also the cornerstone of the success in Bangladesh.

In India, despite efforts being in place, the results are nowhere in sight. Figures from the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation show that since 1986, India has spent over $3 billion on constructing toilets across the country, but positive results are still not visible. An all-India survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) has also revealed that just 46 percent of the 95 lakh toilets built in rural India are being used, while the figure is barely 50 percent even in urban areas.

While appreciating Bangladesh’s achievements in eliminating open defecation, all participants in the conclave recognised that change has been possible mainly because of their focus on collective behaviour change rather than on construction of toilets. Anowarul Haq, Director, Extreme Rural Poverty Program, CARE, Bangladesh focussed on sanitation being a trigger to wider development benefits like livelihoods, food security, eliminating hunger, primary education, inequality, and health. While India seems to have joined the bandwagon, the road ahead will be a tightrope walk.

This was first published on Your Story by Sourav Roy. 

Caption of Featured Image: Children defecate in the open in India. Lack of sanitation is a major reason for malnourishment and stunting in children. Photo: Creative Commons

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