1. Lowland WASH Experience in Sanitation Marketing
Tigist Kassa
Heath Communications Specialist
Lowland WASH Activity

2. Focus of USAID Lowland WASH Activity
Component 1: Increased access to improved drinking water supply sources on a sustainable basis
Component 2: Increased adoption of key hygiene behaviors and access to improved sanitation
Component 3: Improved efficiency and sustainability of food production
Component 4: Improved water resources governance and data management

3. Lowland WASH Activity – S&H Targets
Certified Open Defecation Free Kebeles
20% increase in households using a handwashing stations
#of individuals reached through targeted S&H promotion/education
#of ppl gaining access to an improved sanitation facility

4. Lowland Intervention Areas?
Afar
9 Woredas, 75 Kebeles
Somali
12 Woredas, 46 Kebeles, 40 Villages
South Omo
3 Woredas, 52 Kebeles

5. Lowland WASH Sub Grantees
Common Vision Development Association (CVDA) – Zone 3, Gewane and Gelalo woredas in AFAR Region Grant Amount is ETB 1,624, Save Your Generation Ethiopia (SYGE)- BenaTsemay, South Ari & Male woredas, SOUTH OMO Grant amount is ETB 1,874, Organization for Welfare and Development in Action (OWDA)- Kebribayah and Tulli-Guuleed Woredas in Fafan Zone, SOMALI Region Grant Amount is ETB 2,183,107.69

6. Purpose of working with Sub Grantees
Improving the adoption of key sanitation and hygiene behaviors among Pastoral Community in the target Regions, Afar, SNNP and Somali.
Complementing / supporting IRC & Care Sanitation and Hygiene related activities

8. Sanitation Marketing – Lessons Learned from Afar
Partnered with CVDA for the pilot
Piloted in Gewane and Gelealu Woredas
Lowland WASH triggered 23 kebeles (9 in Gewane and 14 in Gelealu) and significantly improved HH latrine coverage and use in these two woredas
Project agreement was signed with both Woreda Health Office and kick off meetings held;
Project Advisory Committees (PACs) were formed in both woredas from different sector offices to oversee the overall sanimak activities;
Business plans were developed based on inputs from KII;   
15 Artisans from both Woredas identified and trained on business planning and marketing skills, and concrete latrine slab production… In-kind start-up support provided

9. Lessons Learned – Cont…
Artisans were licensed and certified by Small and Micro Enterprise;
Manufacturing and display/show room were provided by Small and Micro Enterprise Agency in both Woreda
Mix of communication channels were employed
Door-to-door sales, mobile product displays, leafleting campaigns
40 cultural events conducted to promote use of concrete latrine slabs; 
To date, produced more than 120, and sold 107concrete slabs

10. Challenges Sanitation marketing is still at infant stage;
Low level of latrine use and less motivation for improved latrines;
High price of a slab compared to buying capacity of target community;
Inaccessibility of  slab production materials (sand and crushed agg.) in the near by;
Very scattered kebeles and challenges to transport slabs -some kebeles are located across Awash river 
Dependency created from free distributions

11. Key Lessons Learned
Business plan should be developed based on proper Market Assessment;  
Interventions should consider volunteer’s retention and motivation;
Regular support and monitoring is important; continuous support and follow-up is critical
Transportation
Slab design should take in to account ease of transport and buying capacity of the HH;
Strong coordination is needed to ensure uniform approach by all partners.

12. WAY FORWARD
Trained artesian will continue the production and selling of concrete slabs with continuous follow ups by Lowland WASH Activity
Link the activity with CARE’s ongoing Sanitating and Hygiene Activities

13. Thank You!