Notes to broadcasters
Open defecation – in fields, forests, rivers, or piles of rubbish, is still common in some rural areas. This practice promotes the rapid spread of deadly diseases such as cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, polio, diarrhea, intestinal parasitic infestations, and undernourishment. There can be several challenges in the promotion of clean and safe toilets, including the costs of building latrines, the need to clean the latrines, related issues of hand hygiene, and the need to change the behavior of entire communities.
This series of radio spots will help you address this topic. The spots cover the following themes:
- The many benefits of families using hygienic latrines
- Solving the financial challenge of building a latrine
- Cleaning your latrine is worth taking a little time
- Building and using latrines for a healthy and happy family
- Dirty hands spread diseases like diarrhea
- Protect your family from fatal diseases
- Keep your latrine in good repair
- A member of the household over the age of 15 treats drinking water using local methods
- Improved household access to savings, credit, and financial planning to support building and repairing latrines
- Use tight-fitting lids for drinking water containers
- Environmental hygiene (cross-cutting themes)
The spots vary in length from about 45-60 seconds and can be played multiple times during your radio programs. Try to play them on or between a variety of programs at different times of day to reach men and women, young and old.
The titles of the spots are intended only to identify the topic of the spot. They are not intended to be read aloud as part of the spot.
Script
Spot #1: The many benefits of hygienic latrines
NARRATOR:
There are so many benefits to using hygienic latrines.
Most important, they mean that your family enjoys better health!
They also increase your privacy, increase community pride, and individual dignity.
And they make life a lot more convenient!
So, to improve your health, guarantee family privacy, and reduce your medical expenses, defecate regularly in hygienic latrines.
Spot #2: Solving the financial challenge of building a latrine
MAN 1:
Good morning (name). I saw you working on your latrine yesterday. Have you finished?
MAN 2:
No, I ran out of bricks and metal sheets, and my spade is broken. I was helping my parents build their latrine because they no longer have the strength to do it. Unfortunately, I used all my materials and can’t afford to buy more.
MAN 1:
Oh, my friend, I understand your difficulty. A similar thing happened to me. But I got help from my farmers’ group.
MAN 1:
Well, the group has a revolving loan fund. So I received a small loan to cover the cost of buying materials. It’s a relief to have a sanitary latrine near the house.
MAN 2:
Hmmm … that’s a good idea. Maybe I could do the same. And my wife’s women’s group also has a rotating scheme.
NARRATOR:
It can be difficult to build latrines. Especially for elderly and disabled people. But group savings schemes can help.
Spot #3: Cleaning your latrine is worth taking a little time
MAN A:
(BACKGROUND SOUND—MAN HUMMING A HAPPY, POPULAR SONG, AND THE SOUND OF SCRUBBING AND OF WATER BEING POURED AND SPLASHING, INCREASING IN VOLUME)
MAN B:
Hey, (name) my friend. (TEASING) How can cleaning a latrine make you so happy?
MAN A:
(HUMMING STOPS) Oh (name), I didn’t hear you coming. Why am I so happy, you ask?
MAN A:
Because I know that the cleaner the latrine is, the healthier my family will be! Wouldn’t that make
you happy?
MAN B:
Hmm … Well, yes, I guess so. (SHORT PAUSE) But it’s hard to find the time for regular cleaning.
MAN A:
(GOOD-NATURED TEASING) Let me get you right. Are you saying that it’s hard to find 15 minutes a day to clean your latrine when you know it will make your family healthier?
MAN B:
(STUTTERING) We .. lll, I mean … (LAUGHING) Yeah, I guess I can manage that!
NARRATOR:
Cleaner latrines last longer, need fewer repairs, and help make families healthy!
So, make sure that your latrine is cleaned every day by someone in your household over 15 years old.
Spot #4: Building and using latrines for a healthy and happy family
MAN 1:
Good morning, neighbour. Remember the last community meeting when we talked about building latrines.
MAN 2:
NON-COMMITAL VOCALIZATION
MAN 1:
I’ve just finished mine. How about you?
MAN 2:
(IRRITABLY) Who do you think I am? I’m not a clergyman, or a prefect, or a doctor or teacher. I don’t invite people into my home all the time.
MAN 1:
No, you’re not. You’re even more important! You’re a man who loves his wife, his children, and his parents. And you want them to be healthy and live a long life with dignity. That’s why you need a latrine.
NARRATOR:
If you want to keep your whole family healthy and happy, there’s nothing better than building, using, cleaning, and repairing a latrine.
Spot #5: Dirty hands spread diseases like diarrhea
WOMAN 1:
How is your teenage daughter? How old is she now? And is she still sick?
WOMAN 2:
She’s eighteen. And, oh my God, she has had bad diarrhea for almost a week. She can’t keep any food in her stomach.
WOMAN 1:
Oh, that sounds serious, (name). You know, sometimes diarrhea is caused by dirty hands. Does your daughter clean the latrine?
WOMAN 2:
Of course, and she carries the little ones’ poo to the latrine, too. And she always uses the latrine herself.
WOMAN 1:
That’s good. How does she clean her hands?
WOMAN 2:
(Name), you know we don’t have a source of water near the house. How could she clean her hands?
WOMAN 1:
Oh, (name), she HAS TO clean her hands. If no-one in your house washes their hands after going to the latrine or carrying excrement, it’s a miracle you’re not all sick!
NARRATOR:
To keep your family healthy and avoid spending a lot of money on doctors, wash your hands well with clean water after going to the latrine or handling children’s excrement!
Spot #6: Protect your family from fatal diseases
NARRATOR:
Did you know that diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid are often spread by eating or drinking food and water contaminated with feces?
These diseases can cause sickness, medical expenses, and even death.
But you can prevent your family from these serious diseases by taking three steps.
First, stop defecating in the bush.
Second, wash your hands with clean water after defecating.
And third, cover your drinking water container with a tight lid.
Jerry cans with lids are available.
Spot #7: Keep your latrine in good repair
MAN 1:
Good morning, (name). I haven’t seen you since the community meeting a month ago when (name) taught us how to repair our latrines.
We’ve really missed you at football, too. We’re on a losing streak and you’re our best striker!
MAN 2:
Good morning, (name). Yes, I’ve been sick with diarrhea and so has my wife and our three-year old. We’re just getting better now.
MAN 1:
Oh, I’m sorry. So I guess you haven’t been able to start repairing your latrine. Do you need some help?
MAN 2:
(LOW VOICE, EMBARRASSED) Oh, there’s no need.
MAN 1:
Are you sure? You told me there are holes in the walls, the door is broken, and the roof has fallen in.
MAN 2:
That’s true, but what can I do? I’m still not feeling strong, and I don’t have a good spade.
MAN 1:
Well, I can lend you my spade.
Why don’t I come over and take a look? Together, we can figure out how to get your latrine back in working order. I can help you with the repairs until you feel stronger.
MAN 2:
(APPRECIATIVE) Brother, you’re a life saver.
MAN 1:
Ha! You are too! I’m tired of losing at football!
NARRATOR:
To protect your family from disease, repair your latrine regularly. Make sure the walls, roof, and door are in good working order, and regularly clean it.
Spot #8: A member of the household over the age of 15 treats drinking water using local
WOMAN 2:
Good morning, (name.) It’s your neighbour, (name). I’m going to the market today to pick up some vegetables and some product to treat our drinking water. I don’t want the family to get sick now that the rainy season has arrived. Can I pick up some vegetables or product for you?
WOMAN 1:
No, my daughter went to the vegetable market yesterday, so we’re ok.
WOMAN 2:
What about treatment product? Or do you make your own?
WOMAN 1:
No thanks, we don’t use that stuff.
WOMAN 2:
Oh, (name), with respect, you might want to think twice about that. Remember that two people in the village died last year and a few were really sick because of contaminated water.
WOMAN 1:
(SKEPTICAL BUT INTERESTED) And you really think that product can change that?
WOMAN 2:
Absolutely! And I know where to get it for the lowest price!
WOMAN 1:
Ok, you can pick some up for me.
WOMAN 2:
You won’t regret it. It’ll stop your whole family from getting sick.
NARRATOR:
Find out where to buy water treatment products and use them regularly. Staying healthy is worth spending a little bit of money.
Spot #9: Use tight-fitting lids for drinking water containers
NARRATOR:
Does your drinking water container have a tight-fitting lid?
If it doesn’t, you are inviting the tiny organisms that cause diarrhea, cholera, and other diseases to contaminate your water. This can make you and your family very sick—and sometimes even kill!
But preventing these diseases can be as simple as using a tight-fitting lid for your drinking container!
So, while basins might be a cheaper way to store drinking water, a tight lid is a small price to pay for your family’s health and security.
Make sure you always cover drinking water with a tight-fitting lid!
Spot #10: Communities can work together to improve hygiene
NARRATOR:
Communities can successfully work together to improve their hygiene. Here are five ways to improve hygiene and community health.
First, government and NGO projects on community sanitation can teach everyone about health, hygiene, and the importance of latrines.
Second, communities can encourage local and customary authorities to change traditional values that discourage using latrines.
Third, communities can ensure that everyone builds and uses latrines. They can assist people who are disabled or elderly or have other challenges.
Fourth, communities can create by-laws and establish penalties such as fines for people who don’t build and use latrines, or don’t follow other hygiene rules.
And fifth, communities can encourage businesses to supply local markets with materials needed to build latrines, with products to treat drinking water, and with other sanitary materials.
By working together, communities can make life hygienic and healthy for everyone.
Acknowledgements
Contributed by: Vijay Cuddeford, former Managing editor, Farm Radio International
Reviewed by: Louis Lubangi, WASH and Nutrition Expert at CRS
