Toilets donated to Aceh villagers

Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Nagan Raya

Despite the "modern" age, toilets were still new to most villagers in Nagan Raya, a new regency some 80 kilometers south of Banda Aceh, where locals used to end up going behind bushes or in rivers.

Like other villages, Meunasah Dayah in Beutong subdistrict has no toilets. Not a single house has a private toilet either.

In fact most villagers had heard more about the "western" toilet equipment than they had experience using it.

Nyak Puteh, 28, is one of the Meunasah Dayah villagers, who previously wouldn't think twice about defecating in an open place like the backyard or near an irrigation network.

"We usually defecate in the evening or morning. It depends on when we need to go," Nyak Puteh said.

Whenever he defecated, he said he was accompanied by his wife Nurhayati, 35. In the village, he said, it wasn't advisable to go out to the forests alone at night because there were many dangerous wild animals, including bears and wild boars.

Defecating in the open was once normal in the village. During the dry season, however, it would become a serious problem as the dried feces made a putrid odor everywhere.

"We had to find a clean place even though it was difficult to do. We paid no attention to public toilet facilities because people needed to queue up there, which was a nuisance," Nyak Puteh said.

Deep down, Nyak Puteh said, he wished for his own toilet, just like the government public toilets. Unfortunately, he said, he had no money to buy one because it was mainly spent on treatments for his chronic tuberculosis.

There are around 170 families in Meunasah Dayah village, but none had a private toilet.

"Maybe it's because villagers don't understand the importance of sanitation. They have been defecating out in the open since their ancestors' times," Banta Lidan, head of the village, said.

Most of the villagers have had little or no education. Many opting to work over not go to school.

Banta Lidan, who was chosen as head of the village last year, said he was sorry about the poor sanitary condition of his village.

When Islamic Relief representatives visited the village and announced plans to construct toilet facilities, Banta agreed immediately.

"If we have toilets, people will be able to take care of their health better. And the village will become cleaner," Banta said.

Islamic Relief and the UNICEF water, environment and sanitation (WES) project have built some 170 toilets in the village. They have provided all the necessary materials for toilets ranging from cement, bricks and zinc to septic tanks. The organizations have also taught people how to build toilet amenities.

The project aims to promote hygiene and develop community skills.

With a private toilet, Nyak Puteh said, he feels happy now. He can go to the toilet any time he wants, without his wife or bears or wild boars.

Banta Lidan said he was relieved simply because his village is now free from feces.