Working on improving sanitation in rural Kyrgyz communities

After the collapse of Soviet communism, Kyrgyzstan cut a variety of social benefits, leaving families with fewer resources to pay for housing. Access to basic services such as water and sewage is limited in the country, less than 17% of the people living in rural areas have access to running water in their homes. Seeking relief from rural poverty, many families have moved to informal settlements on the fringes of Bishkek, the capital, and other large cities, where they lack secure tenure and decent housing. Some settlements are built in areas where severe flooding can occur. It is estimated that less than 20 percent of rural households have access to running water in their homes.

In response to this need, Habitat for Humanity International, with support of Women in Europe for a Common Future from Germany and the European Union, has adapted and is implementing an ecological friendly toilet. This is an innovative, low cost solution that provides clean, sanitary toilet conditions and also prevents the pollution of soil and water with waste products. The toilet converts the waste into safe compost which can be used as fertilizer and thus improves family income and nutrition through small scall agriculture. The cost of such Eco-toilet is only $500 per family.

Gulmira, who lived with her two sons, Adil and Aziz, in a small 2-room house with total living space of 30 square meters and no toilet facilities, is one of those who have benefited from the Habitat program. “I struggled a lot in my life and now see hope ahead. Thanks to Habitat, my children and I can look forward to a brighter future”, she said. With the Habitat’s loan she was able to repair the leaking roof in their home, install windows, plaster walls and create a new inside toilet.

The design for the Eco-toilet is simple and can be constructed by volunteers using local materials. The Eco-toilet can be completed quickly, the cost is low so the families pay back within one calendar year. This money then goes back into the revolving fund and more toilets can then be built for others in the community.


Habitat wants provide more and more clean sanitary toilet conditions for families in need with the Eco-toilets and you can get involved!

Help us reach this goal by making a donation or by joining one of our Global Village trips.