The Problem

In 2021, with your support, International Needs Burkina Faso installed a borehole in the village of Lah, our first water project in the country. For the first time, residents had access to a stable supply of clean water, improving public health and reducing the long daily journeys women and girls had to make to collect unsafe water. This project marked the beginning of a strong and growing partnership to bring clean water to other communities across Burkina Faso.

As the work expanded, we began to see that clean water alone wasn’t enough. In many villages, including Lah, people still don’t have access to proper sanitation facilities. In fact, only 20% of households in Lah have a latrine, and even fewer have one that’s usable.

Without toilets or handwashing stations, diseases like cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea spread easily. Waste can also contaminate the soil and water, putting the entire community at risk. The lack of sanitation impacts health, dignity, and the overall well-being of the village.

The Project

Now, we’re returning to Lah to build on the success of the borehole by adding the next critical piece: proper sanitation. We plan to construct five latrines, each with a handwashing station, to help improve hygiene and prevent the spread of disease. This project will:

• Reduce open defecation by providing safe and accessible latrines
• Improve public health by cutting down on waterborne diseases
• Encourage good hygiene habits with handwashing stations and hygiene education
• Protect the environment by keeping waste out of soil and water sources

By addressing the village’s sanitation gap, you’ll help create a healthier, safer, and more dignified community for everyone in Lah.