Open defecation at Bonriki area is one of the recurring issues in Kiribati especially on South Tarawa, the capital. Bonriki village is located close to the water reserve that provides the fresh water to the population of South Tarawa. Mangroves are also abundant in this area and people of the village including the community members sometimes use the mangrove swamp for defecation. The bush is also being used for open defecation. This unhealthy habit and lifestyle can have a major impact on our natural resources through contaminating seafood and pollute underground freshwater that we rely on. The habit of open defecation can be passed from generation to generation if no initiatives is taken to address this. St. Kabiriera group RC Bonriki is taking an initiative through implementing a project that will allow community members to access to a proper sanitation system. The project aims to promote the use of a proper sanitation system to cease an open defecation and instill in the mind and habit of young children to expose and practice the healthy way of human wastes disposal.

The GEF SGP will provide financial support to mobilize community?s commitment and support towards fighting the open defecation by promoting the use of a proper sanitation and encouraging young generation to practice a healthy and safe way of defecation. The intention of the project is to assist in banning the open defection.

Project Objectives;
? Improve the healthy living of community members
? Cease the open defecation
? Build capacities of young generation/children to adopt a proper way of sanitation.
? Protect the environment especially the water resources including marine and terrestrial resources from pollution

Key Results
? Number of direct beneficiaries from the project
? Allow the community members to access to a proper sanitation.
? Young children gained knowledge on a proper sanitation procedure
? Open defecation is ceased among community members
? Reduce the spreading of Diseases that may cause without a proper sanitation system