Restoring Health and Dignity Through Safe Sanitation in Batticaloa

A safe and hygienic household toilet was successfully completed for Shanmugaraja Santhirathevi and her family in Sungalkeni, Valaichchenai, Batticaloa District, providing access to essential sanitation facilities that the family had previously been unable to afford.

Mrs. Santhirathevi, aged 60, lives with her elderly husband and their youngest unmarried son. The family had experienced financial hardship for many years, with her husband unable to work due to his age and severe health concerns. Without a stable source of household income, constructing an adequate toilet had remained beyond their financial means.

Addressing an Essential Household Need

Living without access to a safe and functional toilet created significant challenges for the family, affecting their health, safety, privacy and dignity. The original project identified inadequate sanitation as an important health concern and recognised the particular vulnerability experienced by elderly family members when appropriate facilities are unavailable. 

Providing a household toilet therefore represented more than an infrastructure improvement. It addressed an essential everyday need while creating a safer and more dignified environment for the family.

Constructing a Safe and Hygienic Facility

The completed project began with preparing and levelling the selected site to establish a stable foundation for construction. A household toilet was then constructed with appropriate walls, flooring, roofing and a secure door to provide safety, privacy and durability.

The original project design prioritised a facility that would be functional, durable and appropriate for the family’s needs, with suitable sanitation and plumbing components incorporated into the structure. 

Establishing Safe Wastewater Management

An important component of the project was the construction of a septic tank, providing a safer system for wastewater disposal and supporting the long term functionality of the new sanitation facility.

Essential sanitation fixtures, including the toilet pan and septic system, were installed to ensure the completed facility could be used safely and conveniently by the household. These improvements provided the family with access to proper sanitation within their own home.

Protecting Health, Privacy and Dignity

Access to appropriate sanitation plays an important role in reducing exposure to sanitation related illnesses while supporting good hygiene practices. The project was developed with the objectives of improving household health and safety, reducing sanitation related health risks and preserving the privacy and dignity of family members. 

For the Santhirathevi family, the completed toilet created a healthier and more secure living environment while removing a challenge that had affected their everyday lives for many years. The project was expected to contribute to improved hygiene, quality of life, privacy and safety over the longer term. 

Creating a Lasting Improvement for the Family

The successful completion of the sanitation facility represented a meaningful improvement to the family’s living conditions. With access to their own safe and functional household toilet, the family can now benefit from greater health, security, convenience and dignity in their daily lives.

This essential initiative was generously sponsored by The Saiva Manram; Sydney Murugan Temple. Through this support, an economically vulnerable family received an essential facility that will continue contributing to their wellbeing and quality of life into the future.

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