About the Bodhgaya Ecosan Project

Sukhasiddhi Foundation is partnering with Wherever the Need to bring eco sanitation and clean water to the people who live in the area around Bodhgaya, India, the place where the Buddha attained full and complete awakening. Many people from countries all over the world have come to Bodhgaya and have received inspiration and nourishment. Helping the local people is a way we can give back for the blessing of this sacred place.

This project not only produces great health benefits, it also greatly increases the self-esteem and self-confidence of women and girls by giving them access to clean and safe sanitation facilities. Consider this:

• 400 million people in India live below the poverty line.  Few villages, semi urban or urban areas have access to sanitation facilities.
• Open fields and bushes are used as toilets.  Open defecation is one of the major causes of disease in the world.  Parasites and flies carry these diseases from waste to people.
• Girls in schools are not allowed to attend school when they are having their periods (due to lack of sanitation facilities). This can result in girls not completing their education.  Also using fields at night is dangerous for women and girls (snakes, predators).
  

Wherever the Need will work closely with the local people in India to provide toilets that are clean and disease free, and produce valuable fertilizer and compost.  They will also provide clean water through wells and rainwater harvesting. To ensure that drinking water is not polluted because of a lack of sanitation facilities, sanitation must come first.

• Eco-sanitation means composting toilets and clean water
• Toilets are no flush, use no water, and turn fecal matter into compost
• Compost can be used to grow food and sold for fertilizer
• Urine (which is separated) can water plants
• In the West we have a flush and forget attitude
• Clean water through wells and rainwater harvesting (collecting)

• Supports ecological ways of being - waste is turned into fertilizer and compost
• Improves health - reduces disease and provides clean toilets and water
• Gives training and education - especially empowering women
• Creates income through selling the fertilizer that is created
• Teaches conservation and stimulates agriculture
• Creates well-being on all levels

Goes to our page on
Wherever the Need
(donations go directly to our project)