Sponsorship of a latrine project in Burkina Faso
We regularly sponsor sustainable micro-projects that are related to our business activities. For example, as a result of our support, the Stichting Kinderhulp Burkina Faso (a foundation for child aid in Burkina Faso) will now be able to build twenty latrines. Monique Wolters, the initiator of this project, is very grateful for our help.
Monique Wolters founded the ‘Stichting Kinderhulp Burkina Faso’ more than fifteen years ago. With inexhaustible enthusiasm, she provides aid for the people of the West African village of Namsigui and the neighbouring small town of Kaya. Schools have been built along with a children's clinic and home and care centres for children living on the streets. In addition, the foundation assists with the creation and supply of essentials for improving living conditions such as functional kitchens, mosquito nets and simple sanitary facilities. Monique Wolters leads a fifty/fifty life. She spends one half of the year in the Netherlands raising funds for her foundation. The rest of the year is spent in Burkina Faso so that she can initiate and monitor her projects.
Improved hygiene
Contaminated ground water and drinking water are major problems in Burkina Faso. It is unfortunately also one of the primary causes of the high mortality rate among children. The use of latrines can help prevent disease. ‘We have used the money contributed by Van Houtum to buy the building materials for the project,’ Monique Wolters explains. ‘In this particular case, concrete floor slabs and steel reinforcement. However the villagers have to go to work first. Just to make certain that they really want the latrines, we ask them to contribute their labour. First of all, they have to dig pits measuring 1 metre square and 3 metres deep. Then they build a surrounding wall from mud bricks.’
Logically speaking, you would expect Van Houtum to deliver products for this latrine project, but that is not the case at all. Monique Wolters has to laugh. ‘The people here don't use toilet paper! After relieving themselves, they use a stick. Or they wash themselves with water from a sort of plastic teapot. The left hand is used for this. Which explains why they always eat with their right hand. And if you pass something to somebody, you should never use your left hand...’
Knighthood
Monique Wolters' foundation is very highly regarded. She was made a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau on 18 January. She received her knighthood during the award ceremony for the Roermondse Ondernemers Prijs.