By Jeanne d’Arc Munezero
For many people with various immobility problems, access to toilet facilities is still a challenge.
Many latrines are designed for everyone, but cannot be accessed by People With Disabilities (PWDs), the elderly, or chronically ill people.
In Rwanda, they are built outside the house, and during the rainy season, it is difficult to access them.
Therefore, some PwDs and the elderly do their business in buckets (pails) to collect excreta, leading to odor issues and embarrassment.
At the age of 87, Thereza Kagisha who lives in the Rukara sector in Eastern Province spends most of her time in bed or in a wheelchair since she is too old to walk.
She can’t access the lavatory because of a physical disability. Instead, she has to do her business in the bucket which is uncomfortable.
According to the 5th Rwanda Population and Housing Census (2022 RPHC) report, there are 391,775 PWDs in Rwanda aged 5 years and above. There are slightly more females with disabilities (216,826) than males (174,949).
Emile Abayisenga lives in the Kinyiya sector. Due to multiple disabilities caused by epilepsy; he can neither talk, walk nor squat on a latrine.
Claude Ndagije, his relative and caregiver, says, “After defecation I have to collect the feces and take them to the latrine. If I don’t, he will soil himself. His life would be better if we had a solution.”
To address the problem, Emmanuel Tuyisenge in Kimironko, Kigali decided to come up with a modified toilet product to benefit the handicapped and elderly.
The environmental chemist has developed an ecological wooden toilet called “AGATEBE”, used in pit latrines.
Tuyisenge started the project alone in 2017 in a makeshift workshop behind his house.
The idea was to make it easier for PWDs and the elderly who struggle to access latrines.
The toilet product is made of wood plus plastic and is not fixed to the toilet slab or base.
It can be used on any type of latrine by simply placing it on top to facilitate a disabled or elderly person’s use.
It has two parts, a normal wood chair with an add-on bowl installed in the middle where the user seats. The plastic add-on holds, directs and disposes of waste in the pit latrine.
Featuring a height of almost 4-6 inches, its weight is less than 3 kilograms, and it comes in different sizes for toddlers and the elderly.
Additionally, it can be separated or placed aside to facilitate cleaning after use. Sitting on them requires less effort. Users sit securely over the exiting toilet and withstand wear and tear.
The toilet accessory can only be used at home, the catch is that, it cannot be carried by the user everywhere.
Tuyisenge says that due to budget constraints, they began with wood but eventually included toilets made of metal and plastic in different sizes, colours and sculpts.
“We also make EcoTeto ECO toilets with plastic Sato pans; these are environmentally friendly and affordable toilets,” Tuyisenge notes adding that the modified toilet complies with the International Disability Act (IDA) which is high enough for the user to get on and off without bending.
An Agatebe toilet is portable, whereas an ecoteto toilet is embedded underground in a concrete slab and cannot be moved.
The project works in close collaboration with the National Council of People with Disabilities (NCPWD).
Emmanuel Ndayisaba, the executive secretary of NCPD says that finding assertive toilets in rural communities is almost impossible.
“Many households don’t have sanitation facilities designed to accommodate PwD’s. This invention is a welcome innovation,” he said.
There are still new products found in hardware stores in several districts.
They are sold at Rwf 15,000 around US$14. EcoTeto toilets cost between Rwf 100,000 to Rwf 130,000 (US$100 to US$130) with all materials and labour included.
So far, the company has sold more than 5,000 toilet chairs in Rwanda.
Christine Ingibire, a community health worker in Rwamagana, says that the toilet chair is the simplest thing that works for PwDs.
“The chair is very helpful; it can be used comfortably by placing it on the pit latrine without squatting,” she notes.
Sam Murejerangoma, 65, a disability advocate in Rukara, is grateful for his toilet chair.
He says that his toilet chair placed on the slab is durable, low cost, does not crack and needs zero maintenance apart from cleaning.
“I no longer have to bend; I’m not worried about the toilet becoming damp or smelly since it is non-porous. It is easy to transfer from a wheelchair to the toilet chair,” Murejerangoma explains adding “I can now relieve myself peacefully in the latrine.”
Another beneficial Marie Claire Mukamugema from Kiziguro sector says that because of being paralyzed she used to struggle to get into a “normal” toilet and also use it.
“I used to be assisted by my elder daughter,” Mukamugema notes adding “The toilet chair has transformed a standard latrine into a disability-friendly solution. I’m now able to safely and easily use the latrine alone.”
On the other hand, Ingibire observes that the modified toilet has to be cleaned using water, spray cleaners or hygienic toilet liquids otherwise if left unhygienic, it can become smelly causing diseases.
Gerald Mutabazi in Kimironko, Kigali who bought a toilet for his impaired uncle explains that since most PwDs are not employed, they can’t afford it.
“It is difficult for them to purchase these toilet chairs, the price is still high.,” he acknowledges.
