One of Family Hope's foremost goals is to create projects that have widespread community benefits. Our latest definitely fits that description. Five recovering substance abusers from HIV+ households will be trained in building construction and small business entrepreneurship. Their new skills will be put to use in constructiing and managing a public toilet and bathing house, providing service for 2,000 poor residents in the area who have no indoor bathroom facilities at home. The facility will be run by a group of local mothers, who will earn income to support their families every time someone uses the facility.

The second floor of the facility will be a large room that can be used as a community meeting space. The large room can be divided into two smaller spaces, which will provide much-needed, safe, clean classroom space for the Touching Angels Informal Primary School.

What is a bio-center public toilet? A bio-toilet traps human waste in a domed chamber and the methane gas that is generated during the natural decomposition process can be used for cooking or heating water for bathing. In other words, the bio-toilet provides sustainable energy for the rest of the facility.

We'll keep you posted as work begins - look for photos and diagrams later this week. If you like what we're doing, why not support our work with a tax-deductible donation?