Recently, a team from the legendary design firm, IDEO.org, spent two weeks evaluating a question that is central to our sustainability: how do we drive usage of Fresh Life Toilets from good to great? At present, we’re doing well – the average Fresh Life Operator generates over 50 users / day and we’re serving 8000 people in Mukuru. However, we strive to do better and we asked for some fresh eyes, ears and brains to help us out.

Read the rest of this entry »

On Monday in Stockholm, Sanergy was recognized as the Social Innovator of the Year by the Swedish Development Agency’s Innovations against Poverty! We are deeply honored by the recognition. IAP currently has 40 projects in its portfolio and Sanergy was recognized for having the highest development impact coupled with strongest commercial viability.

At Sanergy, we always say, “Our work starts with a great product.” We can thank IAP for making sure that we are offering the best toilet around. IAP has supported Sanergy’s work in developing the 2^nd and 3^rd iterations of the Fresh Life Toilet design, which now uses less concrete in production, can be assembled much more rapidly, and the waste cartridges can be removed with greater ease. Next up, we are looking to improve our design for children and for people who prefer seated toilets, such as the elderly. As we grow, we need to have a suite of products designed for every type of customer that we serve.

The IAP conference offered us the opportunity to meet some fantastic entrepreneurs including Sanjay Shah, who runs Finaccess, which is developing an MPESA + then some for Nepal; and Andreas Renner, whose company, elimentaire sarl, is increasing the production of moringa  – a highly nutritious, locally grown crop in Madagascar – and distributing it to low-income populations. We also met one of our inspirations – Daudi Were of the Ushahaidi team – who has led the movement around crisis mapping and first response work in Nairobi.

Thank you to the IAP + PriceWaterhouseCooper teams that have worked with us as we scale in Nairobi.

One year ago, our first Fresh Life Toilet was installed in Nairobi’s urban slums. It was World Toilet Day, a day set aside to raise awareness for 40% of the world’s population lacking access to hygienic toilets. 365 days later, and our network has grown to include  129 Fresh Life Toilets that have served more than 1 million residents with the provision of hygienic sanitation.

Today, the media, the private sector, development organizations and civil society will again come together for another World Toilet Day, advocating for better sanitation options worldwide. In commemoration, Sanergy held a day of festivities in the informal settlement of Mukuru Kwa Ruben, where our network of Fresh Life Toilets are based.

Read the rest of this entry »