From the start of my Peace Corps service, I recognized that sanitation was a major problem in my town. It wasn't too hard considering that I had people urinating next to my house on a daily basis (I try not to walk around without shoes that often). Anyways, I gathered my town for a meeting way back in February 2011 and told them that I wanted to help them build latrines. I said, "I'll help you dig. I'll help you purchase some of the materials. You just have to do it with me." At that time, people showed a lot of interest, vying to get in queue for my help. After a month in which I told people that they could start digging while I attempted to raise funds through Peace Corps Partnership, only one person starting digging his latrine pit. I then helped him dig a few times, but it was hard to organize times to dig because he was always in the field farming. So, I decided, I'll build myself one, show people that it is not difficult, learn the process myself, and not wait around. After a few months of off and on digging, I understand why no one has latrines. The ground is rock-hard. And when you've got to farm for a living, the last thing you want to do after returning from a grueling day in the fields is to dig a pit into this "dirt." It's taken me forever to get to where I am and I don't even have to do physical labor in between digs if I don't want to. What's worse is that 30 minutes with a backhoe and it'd be done. Really puts things in perspective. Think about how much more we accomplish in the United States due to machines, electricity, and education. We farm hundreds of acres with only a couple people, wash clothes with the push of a button, and open a can of precooked beans instantly. Here, it takes a whole family to farm a small plot of land, a few hours to hand-wash clothes, and a day to cook beans thoroughly. Madagascar might eventually make it to the 21st century, but due to its disadvantages, we'll already be in the 23rd by that time. Really makes me feel pretty lucky I don't have to do physical labor to earn a living and have access to all the advantages the United States offers.
In some towns in Madagascar especially in the city, it's illegal to urinate anywhere: you can be fined and be jailed for 24 hours if you got caught. Fewer people use washing machine, air conditioner at home because the price of electricity. On top that, each town faces a blackout due to shortage.
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