On November, 28 the official opening ceremony of school eco-toilet in v. Stepanovka, Rozdil'nyanskiy Rayon, Odesa Oblast was held
New toilet was built on the principles of separate urine and faeces collection and treatment to safe recycling as organic fertilizers which are planned for future use at the schoolyard for flowers growing and in the garden.
The representatives of "MAMA-86-Odesa", "MAMA-86" Kyiv office, "MAMA-86-Ternopil", school staff and children, Head of villages council, local rayon authorities responsible for water-supply and sewage systems at rural school took part in this event. Also 5 representatives of the Water & Sanitation Program of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation arrived from a nearby country Moldova for experience exchange. This organization is involved in implementation of drinking water supply and sanitation projects and realization of humanitarian aid for Moldavian rural communities.
The opening ceremony Program included:
- visit to the private eco-toilet owner (family of 4 members) to monitor the state of art of the ecosan facility built in May 2006;
- seminar on eco-sanitation and official opening of ecosan rest room in Stepanivska school.
Anna Tsvietkova — MAMA-86 national coordinator on W&S made the Power Point presentation on ecosan approaches and MAMA-86’s practical experience of ecosan technologies implementation in Ukraine. Svitlana Slesarenok presented the results of the preliminary financial analysis of the Stepanovka toilet. The discussion of theory was continued during the ecosan toilet opening. On the occasion of this non-ordinary event the schoolchildren showed the theatric performance about local ecological problems. All participants were impressed by sincere and soul-stirring songs and poems performed by children and full of love to the Motherland and responsibility for the nature protection.
During the ceremony the words of gratitude sounded several times towards NGO "MAMA-86-Odesa" and the French Fund — Foundation Ensemble, who supported financially project implementation. Deputy Head of Razdilnyansky Rayon Administration stressed the importance of such event for rural school and actuality of sanitation problems for rayon and oblast rural schools. The idea of shooting of the basic needs provision of rural schools (water-supply and sanitation) has been proposed during the discussion. This film can be presented to rayon deputies session aimed at attracting the attention of authorities to solve these critical problems. An idea to develop the rayon program on sanitation for rural schools was actively supported both the representatives of public and authorities.
