Turyatemba Emmanuel, a man in his middle age (42 years), is a living testimony of the transformations accruing from AWS interventions in Nyundo sub-county communities. Emmanuel, a resident of Rusave village, Nyundo parish, Nyundo sub-county, Kisoro District, had an alarming sanitation and hygiene situation that made diarrhea, a regular “member” of his household. He confessed that he never knew sanitation was related to health and that he did not think it wise to spend money on a house that stored fecal matter. He said VHTs had tried him but failed. His pit latrine was in a sorry state, with no privacy, safety, or comfort. He did not have a bath shelter at all. Sanitation in Emmanuel’s home was a mess.
PHOTO: Emmanuel’s old latrine/AWS/2025
It was at the triggering session that Emmanuel’s attitude had a turn. He says that at the triggering session he was disoriented and turned into a new person who set him on the infinite journey of transformation. He and his entire household embarked on making everything new, from the pit latrine, bathroom, handwashing facility, and general sanitation and hygiene that now makes his home ambience a model. Diarrheal cases have disappeared from his home. He, his wife, Selina, and five children are very happy and pieces of testimony for a new life. In his words, Emma had this to say,
PHOTO: 1 A Sato pan installed in Emmanuel’s new latrine, PHOTO 2: Emmauel’s wife using a tippy tap
“I have changed, am a new man and my family is new.
Triggering sowed in me a seed that transformed me forever. I am an agent of change”
PHOTO: Emmanuel’s wife placing SODIS bottles on a rack
Like other households in Rusave village, Nyundo Sub County, Emmanuel and his household were stressed with a very long journey up and down the hills for water. He has benefited from AWS intervention.