news and events
Latrine Doctor to the Rescue!
Dr S. V. Mapuskar has designed the bio-gas and water treatment plants for many of our Indian Child Haven homes.
In our Winter 2013 Newsletter there is a very important article, written by Robin Cappuccino, regarding Dr Mapuskar's work, titled "Latrine Doctor to the Rescue!".
Below are 2 documents you can download, that Dr Mapuskar gave Robin Cappuccino, which relate to this article.
Septic Tank Latrine As A Treatment Unit For Human Excreta in rural India – Pros & Cons
Diploma Programme in Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Public Health (WASH)
SanitaRY NAPKIN-MAKING SYSTEM
Bonnie made a special trip to Coimbatore, on the other side of Tamil Nadu State, to meet Muruganathan. Below is a condensation of an article about this incredible man in the March 16, 2012 issue of the GUARDIAN WEEKLY by Lakshmi Sanhana of the OBSERVER.
Muruganathan, who lived below the poverty line, beg an research into sanitary towels when he saw his wife, Shanti, trying to slip away with some filthy rags. When questioned, she said the choice was buying towels for herself or buying milk for the family.
88% of women in India resort to using ashes, newspapers, dried leaves, etc. during their periods. Many women suffer severe reproductive tract infections. Muruganathan determined to create a low-cost towel for his wife.
He started out by purchasing cotton and made a few samples. Unaware of menstrual cycles, he presented them to his wife and demanded immediate test results. But his wife and sisters refused to discuss his creations with him.
When his sisters saw him coming they’d shout loudly to his wife next door saying that if he was going to ask them about towels, he’d better go back home. Undaunted, he approached female medical students, and when they refused to enter in to discussion, gave them feedback forms. Convinced that he was using sanitary towels to get close to other women, his wife left him.
He decided to test them himself, using goat’s blood . He wore a bladder and tube contraption for a week. Unsatisfactory results prompted him to try another approach. He distributed towels free and asked women to return the used ones. “It wasn’t easy,” he says. “They thought I would use them for black magic.” For his mother, stumbling on a storeroom of used sanitary towels was the final straw. She left too. 
His breakthrough came after two years of testing various materials. He finally hit upon cellulose made from pine bark. Reclaiming the fibers into usable cellulose required a machine costing $470,000. He decided to make a simpler version. Some years later his machine won a prestigious award and commendation from the President of India. He was able to persuade his family to come back.
At this writing, July 2012, he has made 600 machines, installed across India. In spite of numerous offers, he refuses to sell his innovation to the corporate world.” I didn’t take the money route because I saw my parents struggle for survival. I knew this machine could provide a sustainable livelihood for many rural women.
The machine now sells for $5000. Child Haven International now has its first system in operation at our womens project in Ghaziabad. It provides employment for five women producing sanitary napkins that are affordable. We will set up machines at other Child Haven sites as funds become available
Sanitary-napkin machine installed at the MVP Centre
Production of sanitary napkins in India.
child haven bicycle fundraiser across canada
Sean Collins, a 62-year-old grandfather has biked across Canada last summer 2012, fund raising for Child Haven.
Email Sean:
sean@childhaven.ca
Blog:
childhaveninternational.blogspot.ca/
a Blog was created to follow Sean's progress, and for you to post messages of encouragement and support.
Follow Sean on google map http://goo.gl/maps/eLq6
bio-gas system now in hyderabad home
Rajesh lights the first bio-gas flame with William looking on. The bio-gas system, transforming waste from the homes toilets, should provide up to a third of the gas for our cooking needs
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