Hope, Action, Change: Zangon Aya Leads the Way in Ending Open Defecation in Kaduna

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

A quiet transformation is underway in Kamfanin Zangon Aya in Igabi LGA, where community members have taken bold steps to end open defecation and promote healthier, cleaner living through the Accelerated Sanitation and Water for All (ASWA III project).

Though Kamfanin Zangon Aya, was not originally part of the ASWA Project III implementing LGAs, the opportunity came to them when the trained officials of the implementing LGAs were taken to Igabi for the practical of Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) training held in Kaduna.

UNICEF in collaboration with the Kaduna State government with support from the Netherlands government is currently implementing the ASWA III project in Kagarko and Lere LGAs.

Alhaji Saleh Ahmed, the Sarki of Kamfanin Zangon Aya, is one of the many champions leading this movement. 

“I’m very happy that my community was selected to begin this program, it gives me the opportunity to help my people, raise awareness, and encourage them to care for their health and environment,” he said with pride.

Ahmed, like many others, recognizes the dangers of open defecation, linking it to diseases such as cholera and typhoid. 

“Even our religion does not support such behavior of defecating anywhere anyhow. When people fall sick, they spend money on treatment instead of feeding their families. That is why I’m passionate about this effort,” he emphasized.

The CLTS process began with a powerful exercise called Defecation Area Mapping (DAM), where community members visually identified areas polluted by open defecation. 

According to Mary Bawa, Desk Officer for the RUWASSA/UNICEF program, “This moment of realization, seeing the health risks firsthand sparked a strong emotional response. The people were triggered. They felt ashamed and committed to change.”

“CLTS) is an approach that seeks to facilitate communities to stop open defecation. We facilitate them to understand the negative health implications of defecating outside. Once they realize these implications, they take collective action to stop open defecation by constructing and using improved toilets that are specifically, climate-resilient improved toilets.

“We emphasize climate resilience because some areas might have loose soil. We also guide communities to construct latrines that are durable and can withstand extreme conditions like fire, flood, or drought. This ensures that sanitation facilities remain functional and are not affected by such climate issues, she explained.

What followed was a wave of action. Community leaders, including religious figures and healthcare workers, began to strategize. 

Saleh Ahmed promised reached to out to the Chief Imam, Pastor, In-charge of the Health Centre in the community as well as ward head to advocate for toilet use and cleanliness. 

“We don’t want anyone to defecate outside in our community anymore,” he stated firmly.

The community immediately established a 15-member Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Committee (WASHCOM), consisting of 8 women and 7 men, tasked with implementing the Community Action Plan and overseeing water and sanitation facilities.

But for Ahmed, one issue remains a top priority; the lack of a toilet at the local market. 

“This is my biggest concern, we have a very big market in our community, different people from everywhere come to this market and there’s no single toilet and when they pressed, there’s nothing they can do than use the nearest corner.

“I appeal to the local government council to help us build a toilet there. If we can achieve this, inshallah, our area will be clean,” he said.

Rather than seeing this effort as a project about money, Ahmed views it as a call to service, adding “This is about helping ourselves and improving our community. We are ready to take ownership and move forward.”

The story of Kamfanin Zangon Aya is a powerful reminder that real change begins with awareness, unity, and a shared commitment to health and dignity. 

With the Head of a community like Saleh Ahmed championing change and with support from government and partners, communities in Kaduna are well on their way to becoming open defecation free and a model for others to follow.