Toilet Building

Here's a copy of my masonry training report from Kaliabali. Apologies for the formal writing style but I think it'll give you a good idea of Gram Vikas construction work. I've never helped build a toilet before!

Kaliabali, a very colourful village

"Day 1: Building a Toilet.

We began our visit by viewing the construction of foundations at the lower end of the village, nearest to the busy State Highway 5. A mortar and stone-work layer had been placed on top of a dry stone base. Heavy rocks had been used to create a good solid structure. The height of the foundations is important - it is critical that they are above the height of any nearby land. In the event of flooding (monsoon season) this will minimise the risk of the toilet contents contaminating the land. We then moved to a clearing nearby to start our layout planning work. We were all given sketch maps of the standard Gram Vikas toilet and bathroom design, with all the necessary dimensions. We observed measurements being drawn to scale in the soil and marked out with ash powder. Strings attached to stakes were used to measure out the foundation dimensions of nine feet by five feet eight inches. Care was taken when staking the corners to ensure we had correct right angles – two stakes per corner were used instead of one. After lunch we (Abhishek, Anvesh, Rakesh, Rohit and I) attempted to recreate this. We experienced difficulties with the placement of stakes (twisted stakes, hard ground) and unclear marking of the string. This lead to the dimensions marked being approximately an inch out. To ensure we had the correct right angles we had used the Pythagorean triple measurement of three inches by four inches by five.

Ash powder marks our foundations

After lunch we moved to a different site and observed the next stage of construction after the foundations had been laid. A level layer of cement (locally referred to as masala) was placed on top of the foundations; bricks (which were wet so they didn't draw the moisture out of the mortar before curing) were then added as a plinth layer. The bricks were laid with stretcher side up giving the greatest degree of strength. A further level of stretcher bond brickwork was then added. Work finished for the day as the light was becoming poor and a lack of bricks had arisen.

Laying the bricks on a good base

Day 2: Time For The Porcelain.

On the following day we returned to the main building site. We would observe the fitting of the p-trap, porcelain bowl and the piping to the soak pits. The function of the p-trap is to provide a seal between the toilet and the soak pit. The trap (due to its u shape) will always contain a small amount of water, which will prevent bad odours from returning to the toilet building. The trap was tested first by filling it with water and then placing it on a level surface and ensuring the seal remained. The two soaks pits were dug within four feet of the toilet. The height again was important so that the contents of the pits wouldn’t contaminate the land in the case of a flood. Three four foot diameter concrete rings were used; the small gap between the rings and the empty pit at the bottom will allow the contents to decompose and soak away (hence the name soak pits). It was also important to ensure a gradual slope in the pipe so that the contents would disperse freely. Great care was taken forming the Y chamber from bricks and cement; again to ensure no blockages. If any problems arose a bar or stick could be inserted to clear any object fowling the pipe work. The Y chamber allowed the re-routing of waste once the original pit had become full. Once emptied the pit would be re-used.

Almost ready for the roof

Day 3: Putting The Roof On.

On the final day of our visit we observed the finishing touches added to the Y chamber and soak pits, the construction of a toilet roof and, after lunch, we conducted an interview with Tatayya and his family (the gentleman who initiated the Gram Vikas installation). Brickwork around the top of the concrete ring allowed the piping to become fully incorporated into the structure. A concrete lid would then be placed over the pit. A mesh frame had been created in a nearby field by fastening steel rods together using wire. This was then raised onto a bed a branches/leaves to act as a barrier to stop the concrete "drawing up" the brickwork below. Temporary supports were then put into place before the mixed concrete was poured onto the roof.

Construction of the Soak Pits

We then took the opportunity to interview Tatayya, the man whose family would be using the first toilet/bathroom constructed in this village project. They are among the most vulnerable people in the village; he is a migrant labourer earning ~150 rupees a day (£2), his wife works in Berhampur and earns 100 rupees after travelling expenses. They have two daughters, the younger of which had dropped out of school due to the high costs and now gets occasional work at a local cashew nut processing factory for 60 rupees a day. Their concern mainly lay with finding a secure location for toilet requirements. A large amount of the nearby land (close to the highway) has changed ownership recently with a view to development and so toilet trips (open defecation) had become increasingly difficult. Water access in the village wasn’t bad, it could be drawn from the village well - but the provision of a piped supply would considerably reduce the work of village women. Bathing currently occurs not far away; the busy state highway has to be negotiated first to gain access to the open pool. We observed a traffic accident within thirty minutes of our arrival, so not having this route to take would obviously benefit the villagers."

Tatayya interviewed by Anvesh and Abhishek

I should have popped this report into last year's blog but heading back to the UK for Christmas meant I forgot. Will update blog again very soon with my UQT exploits at Kankia School...