NEWS & EVENTS >> PAST EVENTS >> Installation of Eco-toilet in Gansbaai 

General Motors Childlife Foundation Work Party

Installation of Eco-toilet in Gansbaai - 7 August 2010

The General Motors Childlife Foundation donated funds towards the installation of an eco-toilet for the Children's Circle of Support centre in Gansbaai. The staff from GM's local dealership, Sterling Auto, got their hands dirty and organised a fun day of building, braaing and enjoying doing something for the benefit of the poorer Gansbaai community.

The staff arrived with trees and paint, and while the bricklayer got on with the job of constructing the tank structure for the toilet, they planted indigenous water-wise trees so that the children's play area could be more beautiful and more pleasant with the new shade that the trees will provide. The children had a blast, and they were treated to a braai at lunchtime after all their hard work (although it was more like play...) painting and digging. The children have now been given the responsibility of watering the trees until they are mature enough to grow without additional water. Staff from Sterling Auto had a very fulfilling day assisting their community, and all who were present agreed that the event had been a great success.

The Children's Circle of Support programme provides care and support for orphans and vulnerable children. Many of these children have been affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, neglect or abuse, and all of their lives have been drastically impacted upon by severe poverty. The Hermanus Rainbow Trust provides the children who are part of the Children's Circle of Support register with breakfast, lunch and a school-time snack. Our cooks and carers are also available throughout the day to assist with any emotional or environmental problems that the children are having, and they provide psycho-social support where required.

An important part of the Children's Circle of Support programme is the provision of after-school activities for the children, so that they have constructive ways to spend their time after school. Often their parents are unavailable to them after school, and they therefore need the HRT's assistance in providing them with activities that stimulate their development and keep them from getting involved in destructive activities and habits.

One of the major obstacles that we have been faced with in our Gansbaai centre is the lack of accessible sanitation facilities. The new eco-toilet that has been donated is therefore a welcome addition to our structure. It will ensure that children remain on the premises when they are receiving food or doing activities, and they will therefore be able to be watched and monitored by our staff. It will also prevent many children from being absent for their meals or activities, as they won't have to worry about having to go to the toilet while they are there.

The advantage of the eco-toilet is that it does not require any plumbing or sewerage outlet. It has a wind-powered evaporation system that can handle being used by up to 40 people per day, and it only requires a simple clean-out every 6 months. The dry waste that gets removed after this time only fills a small plastic bag! This system is both economical and environmentally friendly, as it does not use up water through flushing. For more information about the eco-toilet, click here.

The HRT would like to give a big thank you to Sterling Auto and the GM Childlife Foundation, Taxi Trucks and Penny Pinchers for making this project possible.




We would also like to thank the following businesses for their generous support and assistance:

Tel+27 28 316 4325
Mailrainbow@rainbowtrust.org.za
Fax+27 28 316 4125
  
 006-519 NPO
 IT 384/99 (Trust)
 18-11-13-1054 PBO