Lack of sanitation facilities is a major concern in slums and villages. Women suffer the most from such situations, with no privacy and dignity. Many people in the locations where Foundation works are not in a position to construct Individual Sanitary Lavatories. As a response to this, the idea of Suvidha toilets was evolved in 1998. Suvidha complex is a public toilet facility that is made available to the community at a very nominal fee. At present, the Foundation is managing 10 such toilet complexes at Rajam and one at Rajahmundry.

Highlights:

• The design of the toilets take into account aesthetic and functional set-up, standard uniform design, ample ventilation, adequate space and cleanliness, easy access, beautiful landscape etc.
• The initiative has succeeded in sensitizing and motivating community to use proper sanitation facilities. About 90% slum dwellers and 50% of the villagers in the target areas now use the Suvidha toilets.
• Family cards have been issued, through which a family can access Suvidha for Rs.10/- per month.
• The family card system is building a sense of ownership amongst the users. Additionally, Suvidha committees that include representatives from the Suvidha users and the project team have been formed. These committees are functioning well and would act as the corner stone to develop systems and processes to make the Suvidha programme participatory and sustainable.

"We wanted to have toilets but did not have the money for building them, but now help is available due to the Suvidha toilets. Now, our family need not to go for open defecation because we have a toilet nearby," says Srinivas, a card holder from Rajam.