Already since 2007, TUAS has been involved in projects which aim at improving the sanitation conditions and competence in Swaziland, which is located in the south-east corner of Africa. Insufficient sanitation is a significant problem in Sub-Saharan Africa, and it causes health hazards especially for children.
 
In the projects, residents of the area are offered a chance for hygienic sanitation solutions by building and renovating dry toilets. Organizing education on sanitation, waste management and the practical use of greywater, research development work on the technical and cultural suitability of dry toilets, the required training and benefits in e.g. home gardening are an essential part of the project.

Dry toilet technology saves water and the environment

Dry toilet technology is a sector of biotechnology, which entails e.g. process management, energy, the environment, basic health care, recycling nutrients and producing food. The development and export of DT technology are on the rise and its significance will increase exponentially throughout the globe.
 
Dry toilet technology provides a hygienic and sustainable solution which saves water and the environment, and in which waste is also a resource.

Education and instruction

Utilizing anthropogenic waste in e.g. food production involves prejudices. To dispel these, education, instruction and elucidation is required. In the sanitation and waste management projects in Swaziland, these play a central part, as does the inclusion of local inhabitants.
 
In the projects, waste management education is especially targeted at young people, whose skills develop in profit-yielding activities (such as building dry toilets, gardening and waste treatment). A cooperation network is established to create peer support for the youth groups. Through the groups, the benefits of the projects are disseminated throughout the project area at the same time as the entrepreneurship of youths and resource efficiency/waste management is promoted.
 
The inclusion of women and girls in the education, youth groups and decision-making is emphasized. The aim is to decrease inequality by promoting inclusion, livelihood and sanitation as a human right.