The Sanitary Situation in Bulyaheke, Sengerema District, Tanzania - A Study of Problems Linked to Lacking Sanitation in Rural Tanzania and Possible Solutions

Abstract

In developing countries, such as Tanzania, lacking sanitation is strictly linked to waterborne diseases with death as a potential outcome. Sufficient sanitation is therefore considered a human right and is addressed in both the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. In this study, the aim was to identify the reasons behind the lacking sanitary situation in the village Bulyaheke, rural Tanzania, but also to evaluate possible solutions to improve the situation when it comes to both toilet- and water access facilities. This was accomplished using qualitative research where interviews were combined with observations in the field and a literature study. The data gathered was later analysed using thematic analysis and the findings revealed that the situation was particularly bad at the two schools, as they had a low number of toilets together with limited access to water for hygiene purposes. To increase the standards for the students, different toilet- and water access facilities were evaluated and compared, resulting in the Ecological Sanitation facility, Fossa Alterna, and Rainwater Harvesting being the most appropriate solutions for the specific conditions. Furthermore, the implementation of such solutions would have to be through the Tanzanian Government in collaboration with external funders. This, as representatives from the government stated that they cannot provide funding for local projects. They did however express that in the long-term they want to be independent, and the money invested should therefore be used to ‘help them, to help themselves’. A way to achieve this is therefore to implement pilot projects at the two schools where improvements are most needed, and thereby inspire the inhabitants to adopt the technologies at their homes.