The community

The shared sanitation intervention studied in the MapSan trial took place in the low-income, informal urban neighbourhoods of Maputo, Mozambique. Specifically, the trial covered 11 neighbourhoods in Nhalamankulu District and five neighbourhoods in KaMaxaquene District.

Maputo is the capital and largest city in Mozambique, located in the Southern end of the country near the Indian Ocean. It is a densely populated urban centre with a population of roughly 1.2 million people. The city serves as the main financial, corporate and commercial hub of the country and is known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Maputo continues to experience rapid population growth due to high birth rates and immigration, leading to challenges in infrastructure, housing and service delivery, especially access to WASH services. Many residents live in informal settlements which lack access to basic services, highlighting significant socio-economic disparities within the city.

Members of the community were central to all aspects of the MAPSAN trial, both as research participants and through their critical role in ensuring the maintenance and sustainability of the sanitation blocks in the intervention areas.

“The training has built the capacity and skills of the activists on water and sanitation issues, improving our engagement with the community.”

The beneficiaries of the intervention studied in the MapSan trial were residents of the low-income, informal neighbourhood of Nhalmankulu District. Beneficiary families live in compounds, which are clusters of households sharing sanitation facilities and outdoor living spaces. The participating compounds had a minimum of 12 residents with some compounds having more than 20 residents.

All families were low-income and had young children. Most importantly, all families showed a willingness to improve their sanitation conditions by agreeing to participate in the intervention and contributing financially.

A community block leader is in charge of managing shared sanitation facilities used by up to 70 households in the neighbourhood. Acting like a local leader, they ensure everyone follows hygiene rules around the shared sanitation blocks. Their role includes working with households to guide and correct hygiene practices, making them essential for keeping the facilities clean and functional.

Block leaders are trained by WSUP’s Community Development Specialists. They undergo a two-day training that teaches them how to monitor sanitation and water conditions in their area and assist activists in monitoring at the household level. These leaders play a critical part in ensuring the sanitation intervention runs smoothly and sustainably.