Micro-franchise entrepreneurs model & Sanitation Kenya

In this blog I will cover a range of different successful social businesses that are using the franchise model & micro- entrepreneurs  to help improve sanitation.


PeePoo 
A technology driven approach. 

Is this the solution to the flying toilets ? The proposal is an one time, self sanitising single use biodegradable bag,Peepoo is aiming these products at people at the Base of the Pyramid, this concept was talked about in the last blog. In a study by Vinneras B 2009, it was found that these bags work as advertised, with no smell being released  from them when filled with faeces. The bag is bio degradable so there is so harm to the environment. The fecal waste in the bags also after 2 to 4 weeks will be sanitised so there is no harmful pathogens present. The waste then can be used as compost and organic fertiliser which is great for local farmers. 

This is great for areas which don't have good facilities and can prevent people just throwing there waste anywhere in the environment which will increase pollution and disease.

Case Study Kenya, Kibera 

Kibera is one of the biggest slums in Africa, over 1 million people live in this slums, there are hardly any toilets, this means up to 630 people may be forced to use one latrine. There is no privacy, latrines are rarely emptied or cleaned. This means that people find other methods of going to the toilet. This has meant that flying toilet method is being used by 50 % of people. creating a sanitation disaster.JAC (2009)
 In Munch E et al research it was found that 90 % of users really liked how hygienic  and safe  it was to use and think it is a great solution plus more than 85 % would want to use the product on a daily basis. 

Here is a great video how Peepoo works and is helping people in the Kibera slum in Kenya.

The school program 

Peepoo is trying to also improve the sanitation situation in schools, they train teachers and build cabins an example is shown in figure 1 below. It provides children with privacy. There is also an attendant that makes sure very child washes there hands. This will help reduce the 275 million school days lost by diarrhoea as over 60 schools and 10,000 children use Peepoo.  

What is a franchise model and how is it being used in social businesses like Peepoo.

Definition

"Franchising refers to a contractual arrangement in which one firm, the franchisor, licenses a business concept, operational system, or trademark to a second firm, the franchisee." Kistruck, G.M. et al., 2011

In Peepoo case the product are sold by women in the local community. This is a micro franchise as it is happening on a small scale. Peepoo are licensing the businesses concept and also are providing training on the product to the entrepreneurs plus how to build there small business up.

These women are also micro-entrepreneurs they are building their business up and now are offering to collect peoples used Peepoo bags every morning which provides extra revenue and a good service for residence. Peepoo is helping to empower these women.

The biggest challenge I see in regards to improving sanitation is culture. It is very hard for people to change their ways, you would need to educate people. In developed countries people know that going to the toilet outside is anti-social but that idea hasn't been instilled in people in countries in Africa and people find it normal to go to the toilet outside. 

Ecotact 

Case study Kenya, Nairobi 

It is a social enterprise that was launched in 2007, the founder Kuria won Africa Social Entrepreneur in 2009. Ecotact focus on sanitation in urban informal settlements and slums. Its aim is to provide good and affordable sanitation to people living in the most disadvantaged areas,
In Kenya only 48 % of people had accesses to basic levels of sanitation. The pubic toilets that were available  for people to use in Kenya were dirty and unhygienic 
The solution that Ecotact proposed was the Ikotoilet concept.
Below is a short clip on how it works

• The aim was to make it fashionable and a pleasant experience to get people to go to the toilet
•  Land to build the facilities are given by municipal councils - run by Ecotact for 5 years to cover the cost then given to the councils. They now have over 45 units in operation 
• 50,000 people use these toilets everyday 
• Create employment for 260 people 

Winifred K (2009)

Ecotact wants to encourage the rise of micro-entrepreneurs,to achieve this the building in which the toilets are located in house units in which they are rented out to young entrepreneurs. Which  want to open up a small business such as shoe shining, food kiosk and drinks. This helps create a hub and breaking down the taboo that toilets are dirty places. Ecotact want to create a leisure experience. Thieme T 2010

The money gained from rent and toilet revenue allows Ecotact to get back their investment within around 5 years. 

The question I have is that the concept still excludes a large amount of people who can't afford the 7 cents.

Why I believe governments are supporting this model, when they should be building these facilities themselves is based around the topic of politics. It is easy for politicians to allow for a private company like Ecotact to come into slums and build these toilets facilities on land they provide for them.
The reason is simple if governments were to do this and improve sanitation in slums, build toilets and facilities they are in-directly formalising slums and making it a permanent area. This is not what they want to be seen doing, so by a private company doing this it over comes these issues and after the contract with Ecotact is finished municipalities will own these facilities that they never built, so its a win win situation for them.