Notes from 8/30/2011

Today we had the first meeting of the year- whoo hoo! To start of the new (school) year, the team discussed moving away from the latrine project in Cambodia and moving on towards something that would be more fruitful for all parties involved. Alex sent out the biogas digester forms out to the team for review- please review these quickly so that they can be sent to Soknay. In addition to reviewing these forms, everyone should investigate possible projects via EWB-USA and/or a NGO. Keep in mind that we are looking for a project with people that know what they need and are asking us for help.

Next meeting: Tuesday, September 6th @11:30 am in Marston

In other news, today we welcomed Eddy back to the group and witnessed the passing of the leadership torch from Sarah to Alex. Thus, this post shall be dedicated to Sarah Grace Katz, our former fearless team leader. Thank you for all your hard work, inspiration, and dedication to our group as well as your "unbelievably delicious" cookies. To Alex, congratulations on your new position and good luck!

Notes from 4/12/2011

• **Date change** -- Poopluck has been rescheduled for Thursday, April 21st at 9:00 PM
• Discussed banquet; Sarah's conversation with the Bolivia team leader
• Summer plans: What do we need to do this summer to be on track for next semester and an assessment trip in December? We need to know what materials are available in Cambodia. If the materials that we're looking for are not available, one option would be to design a cheaper version of a preexisting, tested model.
• Correspond more often with Ronald- send him our mission statement. Use him for the social aspect of the project since he has experience with how similar projects are conducted in Southeast Asia. In other words, consult him for nontechnical information.
• Think about: (1) where the funds for Soknay's World Toilet trip will come from (2) finding a technical expert (3) ways to keep in touch over the summer/how to progress with the project while we're apart
• Also, during the meeting, we reviewed forms (512, mission statement, etc); created the biogas digester report forms

Next meeting (last of the semester?!): Tuesday, April 19th at 9:30 AM Library West

Please note, everyone should feel comfortable posting on the blog whenever they would like to. If you find an interesting article, more latrine research, information about Cambodia, or anything else that you'd like to share...post it!

Notes from 4/5/2011

Today's agenda:

1. Review of Meeting with Dr. Wilkie
a. Pep Talk -- Be proactive and take initiative! Be forward thinking! If there is something you see that needs to be done or if you would like to do something- do it! Example: Alex will be creating a drawing; Ashley created our new Mission Statement

b. Organize All Research About Latrines - Technical Stuff, Info from SC, Other Projects in Cambodia, etc. -- Set up a meeting to review all of the information with Dr. Wilkie

c. Monitor Funds for Project Wild Smile - Forms for Each Digester and Promotion Event -- Alex will be creating the the form

d. Extend Dropbox Invite to Dr. Wilkie

2. Banquet on Wednesday Evening - Laureen, Sagar, Jon
a. Have you paid for your ticket? If not, bring your $25 check tomorrow
b. Review 512 -- Ashley revised the 512 to fit our current project

c. Final Decisions for the Presentation

3. Review Mission Statement

4. Respond to Soknay's E-mail -- Jon sent Soknay a conditional "yes" to fund the World Toilet trip with funds from our Boeing grant

5. Post-Assessment Form
a. Please read this document. It is very helpful in the further understanding of the trip and the history of the project.
b. Any response from EWB about an interview?

6. Summer Plans - Brainstorm what we should do to continue progress while we are in different places. -- Find out what other projects do during the summer. --> **Important: Soknay will be in Gainesville May 14th-31st**

7. End of the year event! Last chance to make friends with each other! -- "Poop-luck" Wednesday, April 20th (tentatively) at 9:00 PM, Ashley's place

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park 3/25/11

Highlights from our trip to Marjorie Rawlings State Park:

-Dr. Wilkie and 3 of our group members took a tour of Marjorie Rawlings home in Cross Creek
-Marjorie Rawlings spent most of her time in her home writing many of her famous novels, including Cross Creek and The Yearling
-Marjorie hosted a "toilet party" for the first flush of the toilet installed her house
-The most important highlight of the tour (at least for our team) was the outhouse
-The outhouse (which is the background to our blog)

• Constructed from pieces of wood
• Inner seating area consisted of 3 planks of wood with a carved hole in the middle
• The 3 planks were removable
• The system is that all the excretion is collected in a pot or some vessel which is kept beneath the planks and the planks can be removed to remove the vessel in order to empty or maybe throw it.
• There is a red flag on the outside suggested by Marjorie Rawlings for privacy
• The top of the outhouse was angled for ventilation

-After the tour, Dr. Wilkie treated us to some dinner at The Yearling Restaurant
-The Restaurant featured historical photos of Majorie Rawling's home
-We noticed there was another outhouse located on the side of the Restaurant
-This outhouse had two holes, "His" and "Her's"
-The outer structure was similar to the outhouse in Marjorie Rawlings house

-Dr. Wilkie suggested that shrubbery can be put to absorb the urine and thus the feces can decompose to manure efficiently

-Dr. Wilkie suggested the back of the outhouse have an opening in order to shovel out the build-up

-She also suggested there may also be a metal rod beneath, to mix up the sludge

Notes from 3/22/2011

Today we reviewed the REB-VIP Latrine drawing and information that Jon put together. We discussed what documents to send to Soknay. In addition to the REB-VIP Latrine drawing, we are sending a list of materials for REB and squatting plates to get information on availability and cost, and Laureen's EarthBag presentation.

Don't forget: Trip to Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Park with Dr. Wilkie this Friday March 25th @ 3:15 pm

Notes from 3/20/2011: Skype with Soknay

Highlights from our conversation with Soknay:

• Latrines should not only be raised (flooding ~0.5-1 meter), but also fenced to protect from animals.
• Thatching (bamboo, palm fronds, etc) is readily available. Local families generally have some access to and knowledge of how to construct thatched structures. Thatched structures have ~2 years durability but can be easily fixed due to widespread availability of the materials. This means that our model can exclude the surrounding structure and cost can be saved by having families build their own.
• Soknay asked us to send him drawings of our potential design along with lists of materials.

Next meeting: Tuesday March 22nd @ 9:30 am in Library West

We will be brainstorming the drawings and material information to send to Soknay. Also, David will be sharing important information that he learned at a recent social entrepreneur seminar.

Notes from 3/15/2011

Today's meeting was a skype session with a new guide, Mr. Ronald Mierau. Here's what we learned:

• During the 1960s and '70s, Mr. Mierau worked as a civil engineer with a humanitarian group in Vietnam.
• Projects that he assisted with: (1) constructing a 26 mile irrigation system of canals for water distribution and (2) refugee housing. Houses were built simplistically to maximize the number that could be built with the group's funding.
• One lesson learned from the irrigation project was that it did not carry water to families farther away, partly because of social constraints.
• Mr. Mierau gave the team helpful information about outhouses and also mentioned how he encountered toilets built over fishponds. As for the outhouses, Mr. Mierau emphasized the importance of including a screened smoke stack painted black; wood is not a suitable material to build with in Cambodia; 1-3 years for 6 people to fill latrine pit.
• Confirmed that he is able to help the team with working in an Asian culture. (Can be a social adviser)
• Suggested that the team look for latrine information from the WHO, Peace Corps, and IVS

The team also discussed upcoming events:

• Skype with Soknay on Sunday March 20th
• REB demonstration Friday March 18th @ 2:00-3:00 pm
• Meeting. Sunday March 20th @ 2:30 pm
• Farm trip with Dr. Wilkie: Dudley Farm and/or Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park
• Remember to watch the video of the $35 latrine that Richard sent us. Here's the link.