Sustainable Latrine Solution in Rwanda

Tori Withum Start Date: Apr 24, 2018 - End Date: Jul 10, 2018
  • Rilima, Rwanda
  • Kigali, Rwanda

My Travel Story

by: Tori Withum Start Date: Apr 24, 2018 - End Date: Jul 10, 2018
I am a senior at Virginia Tech studying mechanical engineering. My senior design project is to build a sustainable latrine solution for the community of Rilima, Rwanda. This summer I intend to travel to Rilima to attend focus groups with my advisor to collect data and opinions on the different designs we present. The community of Rilima is in need for a new waste disposal system. Their current system can lead to health issues because they use squat holes lined with concrete that are cracked when too full. My senior design team has come up with a solution that allows the community to create humanure in a safe manner while creating jobs. The prototype was built and designed only with materials that are accessible to the community of Rilima, so they do not have to rely on outside recources. I would love the opportunity to actually talk to the people who would be building and using a design that I helped create. 
  • Rilima, Rwanda
  • Kigali, Rwanda