CLTS PROJECT IN OGUNTE SETTLEMENT, IGBETI, OYO STATE.

CLTS PROJECT IN OGUNTE SETTLEMENT, IGBETI, OYO STATE.

Igbeti is located in Oyo North Local Government Area, Nigeria. This city, having a population of about 25,000 and their sources of revenue are farming, mining, tourism, hunting and trading.

Ogunte settlement is located along the Igboho-Igbeti road, a few kilometers from TAFOO Park and MOLAP Marble and Processing company.

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Abule Ogunte, Aba Isiaka is a settlement with people who are hospitable and respond to change in a very encouraging manner. 

As at the time I visited, most of the inhabitants had already gone out to hunt and harvest some of their crops; although a few met my team and I, to introduce me to the other community members and show us around their homes.

Community-Led Total Sanitation triggering process in Ogunte just started two weeks ago after my team had initially tried to trigger two other communities which unfortunately produced a "damp matchbox" experience. 

The people of Ogunte, however, immediately embraced the idea of building toilets and put a stop to open defecation. They built their first toilet using local materials such as clay, wood and other inexpensive materials. 

Ogunte's first locally made toilet. 

closer view of Ogunte's first toilet, to curb and totally eradicate open defecation

Path from their houses to the toilets, cleared by the little children.

A view of the Ogunte settlement's area.

Rice is stored in a locally made silos

Source of water to the Ogunte people-1

Source of water to the Ogunte people-2

The main challenge faced by the Ogunte people is the availability of potable water for their domestic use and because of their involvement in rice planting.

A sample of unprocessed rice. A bag of unprocessed rice is usually sold for about 6,000 Naira (about 37 USD), Yams, the big sizes (usually packed in 120 pieces) is sold for N30,000 (about 185 USD).

After a "round stool" discussion with the community members, I empathized with them and told them I will look into the digging of a well for them (I think it is less than 100,000 NGN, about 617 USD). I believe in the fact that if their farming and livelihood is easier by the provision of water, more people will be able to live comfortably in their community. I look forward to raising funds amongst my friends to actualize this vision.

Before signing out, I must mention these:

The dog that refused to leave my side through out the walks

The boy that worked hard in the toilet construction and plucked lots of mangos for me as a gift!