Ponsiano's story
Published in July 2026
Begumisa Ponsiano is a resident of Rusave village, Nyundo Parish in Nyundo sub-county, Kisoro District. He is married to Muhangi Agnes with four children.
At baseline, Ponciano used a latrine that was very old and risky to the extent that no one would feel comfortable while using it. It had more than one squat hole, was not well mudded, had a leaking roof, and without a shutter. It was so slippery after the rain because of the leaking roof, and it was life-threatening. The wife was always worried that, at some point, it would crumble with children or someone else. For the bath shelter, he had none and thought of none. His mind was settled and comfortable with the status quo. Change was far from him, as he confessed.
PHOTO: Ponsiano’s old latrine /AWS/2025
At the triggering that AWS organized at Rusave village, Ponsiano, halfway through the session, stood up and said he should be allowed to go home and begin on the change that was stirring him from the inside. He embarked on general cleanliness, constructed a model latrine, put a Sato pan and hand-washing facility, constructed a bathroom, and made his home a learning place for fellow community members.
He received a rainwater harvesting tank from Africa Water Solutions to ease the problem of water scarcity that characterizes Rusave village and Nyundo sub-county.