This month we want to mark World Toilet Day https://www.worldtoiletday.info/ on 19th November with our partners at BioFactory. Bristol Link with Beira has since April, been facilitating the BioFactory project, which will provide toilet units for Beira and transform toilet waste into fertiliser and cooking gas. Here is BioFactory’s press release:
Supporting World Toilet Day - Harnessing the Power of Poo
University of Bath spin out company awarded Innovate UK grant in collaboration with Bristol charity, Bristol Link with Beira, and Bristol's University of the West of England.
BioFactory, a University of Bath spin out company has achieved Innovate UK funding for a R&D project that could impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in informal settlements and displacement camps in Sub Saharan Africa. Founded by graduate engineer Eoin Sharkey, BioFactory is developing an off-grid toilet and waste processing system which will provide dramatic improvements to sanitation whilst also delivering cooking fuel, plus soil conditioner and fertiliser for agriculture. Eoin, with support from Bristol based Business West, put forward a proposal to build a prototype in the UK, and then two systems in Beira, Mozambique.
In support and promotion of World Toilet Day: 19th November 2020, BioFactory is excited to announce its partnership with Bristol Link with Beira (BLB), who have been promoting relationships between the two cities since 1990. With over 30 years’ experience, BLB supports Beira through development programmes and research.
Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees said: “This is a fantastic example of how our Mozambique twinning can be an important partner for an exciting Bristol based project. My colleague Mayor Simango and his team have been working hard on solutions to the sanitation issues in Beira and this project will definitely play an innovative part in their efforts to reach Sustainable Development Goal 6 “Water and Sanitation.”
BioFactory were also able to partner with the Health Tech Hub at Bristol’s University of the West of England. Their work on pathogen detection will be vital for the deployment of the BioFactory systems and the safe use of the soil conditioner and fertiliser.
Eoin Sharkey, BioFactory’s MD stated: “Over 200,000 children die per year in Africa due to spread of disease and poor sanitation. Our solution manages human waste from its production, right through to pathogen free and safe-to-handle output material, without the need for human contact. This is crucial - contact with human waste is a leading cause of disease transmission.”
The project also includes the support of ADEL Sofala, a Beira NGO, working hard with Beira Municipal Council and their local Renewable Energy Centre to identify sites and prepare the host communities, who are all eagerly awaiting installation of the units. ADEL Sofala are also providing vital data and information on the potential users to the BioFactory team, for example - they have recently identified that there is a lack of access to fertiliser for smallholders in the City and that the BioFactory system would benefit local agriculture.
Maquinino Market Takeaway area Associacao Agricola Vale de Mandruzi
Caroline Pitt, Project Lead at BLB added: “We’re incredibly excited to be part of this project. We are acting as a facilitating partner - we know the local environment, we know the local communities, and we have established partners in the region, and are introducing BioFactory to them. Not only will these toilets improve sanitation in Beira, but they will also introduce cooking fuel and fertiliser into the local market economy. As an architect in Beira City Council, I worked on the design of a council market introducing fixed takeaway stalls and toilet blocks, which were built 20 years ago. The pressure on these facilities has been enormous, and the proposed BioFactory unit will be a welcome addition in Beira. The BioFactory project continues the work of BLB in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), including work to toilets at schools and a community centre: using fundraising after the cyclone in 2019; and sponsorship by Massive Attack after the floods in 2000”.
World Toilet Day is a United Nations project that raises awareness of the 4.2 billion people still living without access to safe, managed sanitation. Jon Blake, BioFactory’s Commercial Director finished: “I am so pleased we are able to support World Toilet Day and raise awareness of the sanitation crisis. BioFactory’s off-grid toilet and waste processing system has the potential to increase the quality of life for those that are most in need. Our partnership with the team at BLB and ADEL Sofala is crucial for the success of the project and the deployment of our systems.”
Thanks to BioFactory for the credit!
BLB Covid-19 Appeal
The National Institute of Health has identified that Beira has high rates of exposure to Covid-19. Beira Municipal Council have been spraying high-risk areas with disinfectant, and with NGOs have installed wash stations; distributed soap, facemasks and protective clothing; and supplied goods to those who cannot work due to restrictions.
For our part, with funds raised by BLB supporters, ADEL have purchased sewing machines and materials to make 10,000 face masks. This will help mitigate the impact of the coronavirus and also create a longer-term employment and community resource.
BLB Gift Aid
Many thanks to those who returned Gift Aid forms to allow BLB to claim an extra 25% from HMRC on your donation.
BLB Calendar
We are finalising the calendar celebrating 30 years of BLB, and we will let you know how to purchase these when they are printed.
BLB Projects for 2021
We are currently working on grant applications for school links, Covid research, and flood mitigation amongst others. Inspired by Beira this year, we are also hoping to mark World Clean Up Day in Bristol in September; and somehow facilitate an artist in Beira to participate in Bristol’s UpFest in the future. If you know of any projects or grants that might be applicable for BLB to support the development of communities in Beira, please let us know. We have not been able to hold any fundraising events or the ‘Meal for Mozambique’ in 2020, but we are trying to set up a virtual meeting for a first-hand update from Beira.
Getting Involved
Please click on the icons below to follow us on social media, contact us by email and/or have a look at the website. We are looking for volunteers to get involved with our working groups to take forward the work of BLB. If you’re interested in:
fundraising;
education;
project development; or
administration
Bristol Link with Beira is a project of Southern Africa Resources Centre – Charity Number 1000003
We can also receive cheques made out to “Beira Fund” sent to the address below.
