With no access to sanitary ways to relieve themselves, many are forced to use uncovered pit latrines (a hole dug in the ground), local streams or rivers as makeshift toilets. This contaminates the water table and increases the risk of intestinal infections three times more since many families collect drinking water from wells or local streams.
CBM’s partner for Latrines for Life, ENLACE, says that “the second leading reason for medical checkups in El Salvador is treatment of parasites borne from fecal-contaminated water.” That may mean children miss school and adults can’t go to work, thus losing income, and incur often unaffordable medical expenses.
