People and water : social aspects of community water supply and sanitation programmes

As in all WaterAid projects, the focus of this manual is on PEOPLE. They are the participants, and ultimately the benefactors and beneficiaries of self-help low-cost water and sanitation projects. The purpose of this manual is to draw attention to socio-cultural factors, in order to improve the interdependence of the various inputs to a water and sanitation programme, especially during planning. The manual presents information and guidelines on these issues and suggests ways in which projects might be improved. Subjects discussed include "people-based" community participation; the socio-economic and cultural aspects of sanitation; health education and the importance of communication as well as training. Much of the contents of this manual are the direct result of the findings of the Cuddesdon Conference which was held in Oxfordshire during August 1990.