By Yang Ater
Lakes state celebrations achievement of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in several villages in Rumbek.
The event was organized by the state Ministry of Housing, Land, and Public Utilities, in collaboration with the Center for Emergency Development Support (CEDS).
David Ayuen Mawel, the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) engineer and cluster coordinator for Lakes State, explained the process.
“Last month, we conducted an internal verification of the ODF status together with local authorities, and last week, we re-verified it with the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) task force, which comprises representatives from various institutions.”
Mawel stated that the village of War Marual, in Cueicok Payam, was one of the seven villages declared ODF during this process.
“Today, we have gathered government officials from the Ministry of Housing, Land, and Public Utilities, the specialized committee on infrastructure in the State Assembly, the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner, and representatives from the Ministries of Education and Health, to celebrate this achievement with the community.”
“We have triggered 35 villages in the 3 counties, and so far, we have declared 7 as open defecation free (ODF). I really appreciate the government, especially the line ministries that have supported us in this endeavor to ensure that these villages are ODF. We still have hope for the remaining 35 villages to become ODF.”
The chairperson of the specialized committee on infrastructure, Mariem Paul Jebi, praised the community’s efforts.
“The community has constructed more than 50 pit latrines, which is a remarkable achievement. We are very happy to see the community’s commitment to improving hygiene and sanitation.”
Barnaba Makuac Magol, the State Director of WASH, explained the challenges faced in implementing the ODF program.
“One of the main challenges is the lack of water in some villages, such as Lang village. However, the communities have been proactive in constructing latrines using local materials.”
Ding Mayau, a village woman leader, expressed her gratitude to the government for providing a borehole and encouraging the community to dig latrines.
“No one is defecating in the open anymore. We are following the late leader Dr. John Garang’s vision of bringing development to the villages.”