Through our partnership with Global Hope Network International (GHNI), Community Transformation Trust is funding life-saving, community-led sanitation solutions across remote rural farming villages in Uganda.
The Need for Safe Sanitation
In isolated farming villages across Kasese District, western Uganda, modern sewerage does not exist. Families often rely on shallow, open pit latrines or open fields.
During the heavy rainy season in the Rwenzori Mountains, unimproved pits frequently collapse or overflow into nearby streams—contaminating the water villagers drink every day. This leads to preventable waterborne diseases like cholera and dysentery that hit children hardest.
Proper, secure latrines provide immediate hygiene protection, stop groundwater contamination, and give women and families the privacy and safety they deserve.
What is a VIP Latrine?
A VIP (Ventilated Improved Pit) latrine is an engineered sanitation solution specifically designed for rural, off-grid communities where running water and septic infrastructure are unavailable. Unlike conventional open pit latrines, a VIP latrine eliminates foul odors and stops flies from transmitting disease:
Continuous Odor Extraction
A tall external PVC or masonry ventilation pipe extends above the roof. Wind blowing across the top creates an updraft, drawing air down through the cubicle squat-hole and discharging odors out the top.
Fly Trapping Screen
The top of the vent pipe is sealed with a durable, corrosion-resistant mesh fly screen. Flies entering the pit are attracted to the sunlight at the top of the pipe, get trapped against the screen, and die without contaminating food or homes.
Reinforced Concrete Slabs
Heavy-duty reinforced concrete slabs seal the deep pit safely, preventing collapses during torrential rains and providing an easy-to-clean, hygienic surface with footrests and secure footing.
Privacy & Durability
Sturdy superstructures built from local brick, masonry, and reinforced iron doors ensure privacy, dignity, and years of safe use for the whole community.
The TCD Community Co-Investment Model
As part of GHNI's Transformational Community Development (TCD) programmes, our focus is always on long-term self-reliance rather than dependency. Projects succeed because the local communities take active ownership from day one:
- 50% Material Co-Funding: GHNI and partners fund approximately 50% of the material costs—covering manufactured supplies that require hard cash, including Portland cement for structural slabs, PVC vent pipes, insect screens, and reinforced lockable doors.
- Community Investment: Participating households and neighbours pool together the remaining funds, source local sand, gravel, and timber, and provide all the manual labour to dig deep pits and lay the masonry.
- Shared Household Ownership: Each household VIP latrine is typically shared by 2 to 4 neighbouring families (10 to 20+ villagers), creating mutual responsibility for cleaning, maintenance, and water seal upkeep.
- Community Latrine Blocks: For primary schools, rural clinics, and village community hubs, larger 4-to-8 cubicle latrine blocks with separate boys' and girls' facilities and handwashing stations are constructed, serving 200 to 400+ people daily.
5 Community VIP Toilet Blocks for Kasese Villages
Community Transformation Trust has agreed to fund 5 Community VIP Toilet Blocks ($4,400 NZD each) in rural villages in Kasese, Uganda.
These sanitation builds directly support village transformation initiatives led by graduates of our 4-day residential TCD Leadership Training Courses.
Sanitation Builds in Action
