What is a portable latrine aid and why they need it?
The typical bathroom in Uganda is a pit latrine; it is difficult and embarrassing for an amputee or handicapped individual to use this facility as they cannot squat or stand back up using their own physical strength. Our team spoke with Margaret who is the founder of the Uganda Landmine Survivors Association to learn more about this issue. As a landmine victim herself, she told us that unless another person holds up the handicapped individual, the most common alternative to use the pit latrine is to crawl into the structure. To avoid the embarrassment and difficulties associated with the pit latrine, many handicapped people go out late at night into forest areas to relieve themselves. This leads to numerous other problems such as snake bites, wild animal attacks, and even sexual assaults. At a conference at the University of San Diego, Margaret asked for a solution to this problem. We are providing one.
Who can we help?
According to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), 19% of the Ugandan population are estimated to have a disability (Uganda Bureau of Statistics and ICF International 2012; World Health Organization & World Bank 2011). With a population of about 32 million, this means that about 6 million people are handicapped in Uganda. The need for this device does not stop here; the elderly and the sick can also benefit from the Simple Seat.
Our Work
We invented a low-cost, portable, handicap latrine-aid that can be manufactured in Uganda by Ugandans with local materials using simple tools. he project began in 2015, with the primary involvement and activities being designing and constructing prototypes. The project took three prototypes to Uganda in January 2016 to receive feedback and design revisions from the actual future users of the devices, handicapped Ugandans. While in Uganda, we met with Margaret and other representatives from ULSA, vocational schools, peace initiative groups, and the the District Union of Disabled Peoples.
Currently, the project is finalizing multiple designs for implementation and realization. The economic plan includes a livelihood support stipend to train Ugandans at a vocational school so that they can acquire the skills necessary in order to produce these devices. Landmine survivors can subsequently construct and sell the devices to attain financial independence. The project’s design constraints include economic, engineering, and social limitations.
Currently, the project is finalizing multiple designs for implementation and realization. The economic plan includes a livelihood support stipend to train Ugandans at a vocational school so that they can acquire the skills necessary in order to produce these devices. Landmine survivors can subsequently construct and sell the devices to attain financial independence. The project’s design constraints include economic, engineering, and social limitations.
Prototypes
One design we created is a wooden box-like structure that collapses using hinges in various locations. The seat to this prototype flips 270 degrees which allows all of the sides and the top to easily lie in parallel planes. This configuration provides a very compact device when not in use, and the location of the handles allows the user to carry it easily when collapsed. It is very stable when expanded, both in the amount of weight it can support, as well as the lateral rigidity. It also allows the user to clean the interior and of all the sides as necessary.
Rather than only focusing on seats, we decided to create a prototype that the user can use to help them travel to and from the latrine depending on their disability. This prototype is essentially a walker, with a seat that can fold down when it needs to be used. This prototype provides the user with a higher seating position, which reduces the amount of effort required to sit down.
After our assessment trip to Uganda in January of 2016, we learned a lot from the local craftspeople, in addition to the potential users we met with. We learned a lot about material selection, which included finding out that the bamboo we tried so hard to incorporate into our designs is not used or readily available. The tools and technology available to the craftspeople even in the rural areas far exceeded the information given to us and what we anticipated. This allows us to create more complex and possibly more effective prototypes.
Since the trip we have continued to enhance and alter the designs, with each iteration becoming closer to the final product. New designs have been created, including a variation of the walker idea, which is actually a crutch that the seat folds into. This solves several problems we had with the walker, including difficulty of use when on rough terrain, and overall size being too large to use practically at a standard latrine.
Since the trip we have continued to enhance and alter the designs, with each iteration becoming closer to the final product. New designs have been created, including a variation of the walker idea, which is actually a crutch that the seat folds into. This solves several problems we had with the walker, including difficulty of use when on rough terrain, and overall size being too large to use practically at a standard latrine.
Social Impact
We understand that the limitations of a humanitarian engineering endeavor are often cultural boundaries. It is not a project aim to change the culture, but to improve accessibility for handicapped individuals.As a result of these negative stigmas, it is difficult for a handicapped individual to find employment, and as more disabled people have no other option other than begging on the street, these negative stigmas intensify.
The other project goal is the restoration of independence and self-worth with these latrine aid devices. While in Uganda, the SSBL team met with several vocational institutions and decided alongside Orech that a small private school called Ave Maria was the best fit for this project. For handicapped individuals, it costs $12 every six months of vocational school training along with room and board. This tuition along with materials for the pilot program will allow the landmine survivors to learn the skills needed to begin making their own products and begin their own business. Thus, the objective of the project will be met as independence and dignity will be restored to the new entrepreneurs.
This project can contribute to broader, deeper social issues and create a long-lasting impact. We are starting small during the pilot program. This is so that the production of the latrine aid devices is manageable for both ULSA and the survivors building the seats. However, this project has potential to grow, as more landmine survivors begin producing the seats. Uganda is not the only country with these issues. In the future, we hope that the Simple Seat crosses borders and benefits other countries afflicted by war and poverty.
The other project goal is the restoration of independence and self-worth with these latrine aid devices. While in Uganda, the SSBL team met with several vocational institutions and decided alongside Orech that a small private school called Ave Maria was the best fit for this project. For handicapped individuals, it costs $12 every six months of vocational school training along with room and board. This tuition along with materials for the pilot program will allow the landmine survivors to learn the skills needed to begin making their own products and begin their own business. Thus, the objective of the project will be met as independence and dignity will be restored to the new entrepreneurs.
This project can contribute to broader, deeper social issues and create a long-lasting impact. We are starting small during the pilot program. This is so that the production of the latrine aid devices is manageable for both ULSA and the survivors building the seats. However, this project has potential to grow, as more landmine survivors begin producing the seats. Uganda is not the only country with these issues. In the future, we hope that the Simple Seat crosses borders and benefits other countries afflicted by war and poverty.
Meet the Team
Our team is a group of ambitious and well-prepared engineering students and a recent graduate who are aimed at succeeding in our endeavor over the next few years. Mei-Li Hey is a Mechanical Engineering major who has experience in recycled materials design as well as familiarity with engineering humanitarian efforts in various countries including Mexico and The Dominican Republic. Harrison Schmachtenberger is a Mechanical Engineering major who is leading our team through the design and implementation stages to ensure our product is accessible and functional for our targeted customer segment. Caleb Avery is a recent Mechanical Engineering graduate with an extensive background in design and experience working on humanitarian engineering projects abroad.
Mei-Li Hey
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Harrison Schmachtenberger
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Caleb Avery
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References:
1. http://www.irinnews.org/report/80183/Uganda-landmine-victims-struggle-to-reintegrate
2. http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/demining/
1. http://www.irinnews.org/report/80183/Uganda-landmine-victims-struggle-to-reintegrate
2. http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/demining/