Hygiene is essential in reducing the risk of childhood malnutrition, especially the adequate disposal of human waste to limit vectors and contamination of water and food that can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses that can affect a child’s growth. In the community of Agua Caliente, aside from the construction of a clean water and drainage system that is underway, ecological latrines are being installed in the homes of residents.
Latrines are built using a lime-based mortar that allows for easy disassembly. This lets families reuse the materials used to build the initial latrine when it full, saving them a significant expense as all they need to do is seal off the filled pit, dig a new one nearby and reconstruct the latrine in its new location.
