Latrine construction in Prof. Billman's yard

During May, our team focused on activities to gain final approval from Engineers Without Borders – USA (EWB-USA) to conduct our sanitation project in Peru.  We presented our project plans to the EWB-USA Technical Advisory Committee on May 2.  A positive response was received and our team received approval, contingent on two requirements:
  1. Our team needed to build a prototype latrine in the U.S. prior to being approved to implement in Cuidad de Dios, Peru.
  2.  Design of the latrine pit walls needed to be revised so that the walls are sloped to prevent collapse.

Smaller activities included creating informative posters in Spanish for the community on composting, construction design, and latrine use.  We are lucky to have a native Spanish speaker on our team, Anabella.

Cement mixing

Slab formation

Most of our activities centered around constructing the prototype latrine.  Each Saturday morning in May, the team met to construct.  Our project faculty advisor, Brian Billman, was gracious enough to lend us space in his backyard to practice our construction techniques.  Our protype latrine was constructed entirely above ground, so as not to destroy Prof. Billman’s yard.  In Cuidad de Dios, we first will be digging pits 5 ft deep.  Construction techniques we practiced included cement mixing and pouring, laying of concrete masonry units (cinder blocks), and slab formation.  We are grateful to our volunteer contractor, Javier, for explaining how to lay CMU blocks and ensure that they are level.  We also practiced building forms for the cement to form slabs.  We received final approval from EWB-USA once we reported our prototype construction activities to them.  Being familiar with these construction techniques will be invaluable once we are on the ground in Cuidad de Dios.

Javier, our volunteer contractor, explaining how to lay CMU blocks