Despite the sustainable development goals to increase access to improved water there are still 884 million people in the world without access to an improved water source (WHO, 2017). One method to improve access to water in rural, mountainous areas, is through construction of gravity fed water distribution systems. These systems should be designed based upon fundamental principles of hydraulics. One method of doing so in a time efficient manner with minimal engineering knowledge is to utilize a downloadable computer program such as Neatwork, which aids in design of rural, gravity fed water distribution systems and has been used by volunteers in Peace Corps Panama for years. It was the goal of this research to validate the results of the Neatwork program by comparing the flow results produced in the simulation program with flow results measured at tap stands of a rural gravity fed water distribution system in the community of Alto Nube, Comarca Ngöbe Bugle, Panama. The author measured flow under default Neatwork conditions of 40% faucets open in the system (in the field an equivalent of 8 taps) to have an initial basis as to whether the Neatwork program and field conditions yielded corresponding flows. The second objective would be to vary the number of taps open if the default condition did not produce comparable results between the field and the simulation, to pinpoint if under a certain condition of open faucets in the system the two methods would agree. The author did this by measuring flow at varying combinations from 10-100% of the open taps in the system (2-20 taps). Lastly the author observed the flow differences in the Neatwork program against the field flows, when the elevation of water in the water reservoir is set to the Neatwork default, where elevation of water is the tank outlet (at the bottom of the tank) versus when the elevation is established at the overflow at the tank (at the top of the tank) for the case of two taps open. The author used paired t-tests to test for statistical difference between Neatwork and field produced flows. She found that for the default condition of 40% taps open and all other combinations executed between 30-80% taps open, the field and Neatwork flows did not produce statistically similar results and, in fact, had the tendency to overestimate flows. The author also found that the change in water elevation in the storage tank from outlet to overflow increased the flow at the two taps measured by 0.140 l/s and 0.145 l/s and in this case, did not change whether the flows at these taps were within desired range (0.1 -0.3 l/s). Changing the elevation of the water level in the tank in the Neatwork program to correspond to a “full” tank condition is not recommended, as assuming an empty tank will account for seasonal changes or other imperfections in topographical surveying that could reduce available head at each tap. The author also found that the orifice coefficients, θ, of 0.62 and 0.68, did not demonstrate more or less accurate results that coincided with field measurements, but rather showed the tendency of particular faucets to prefer one coefficient over the other, regardless of combination of other taps open in the system. This study demonstrates a consistent overestimation in flow using the computer program Neatwork. Further analysis on comparisons made show that between field and flow results across each individual faucet, variations between Neatwork and the field were a result of variables dependent upon the tap, such as flow reducers or errors in surveying. Flow reducers are installed before taps to distribute flow equally amongst homes over varying distances and elevations and are fabricated using different diameter orifices depending on the location of the tap. While Neatwork allows the user to simulate the effect of these flow reducers on tap flow, it may not account for the imperfect orifices made by the simple methods used in the field to make such flow reducers. The author recommends further investigation to be done on the results of field flow versus Neatwork simulated flow using other methods of flow reducer fabrication which produce varying degrees of accuracy in orifice sizing. The author also recommends executing these field measurements over a greater sample size of faucets and more randomized combination of open/closed taps to verify the results of this research. More work should be done to come up with a practical solution for poor and rural communities to fabricate and/or obtain more precisely sized flow reducers. A full sensitivity analysis of the input variables into the Neatwork program should be performed to understand the sensitivity of varying each input.

At the end of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) period in 2015, 2.3 billion people, 31% of the global population, still did not have access to even basic sanitation services. Of these people, 892 million still practice open defecation, and 856 million people use unimproved facilities such as pit latrines without a slab or platform or hanging latrines or bucket latrines (JMP 2017). Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 6.2 now aims to achieve adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and sets the ambitious target of eradicating open defecation by 2030. While the number of people open defecating was reduced from 1229 million to 892 million between 2000 and 2015, that pace must accelerate to be achieved (JMP, 2017). In Panama, it is estimated that countrywide sanitation coverage is 71%, and rural coverage 54% (WHO/UNICEF, 2013). Even so, in indigenous areas like the Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé, only 25% of the population has adequate access to basic sanitation (ANAM, 2006). This research builds upon the research presented in (Hurtado, 2005, Kaiser, 2006, Mehl, 2008, and Wilbur, 2014). These theses researched double vault urine diverting (DVUD) latrines, or composting latrines, in indigenous communities in the province of Bocas del Toro and the Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé in Panama. Hurtado, Kaiser, and Mehl researched the design, construction, and pathogen destruction capabilities of composting latrines. Wilbur studied how human attitudes and perceptions serve as incentives or barriers to composting latrine use. In this research surveys, interviews, and observations were recorded in 6 indigenous Ngäbe communities in Bocas del Toro and the Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé. The study quantifies usage of ventilated improved pit (VIP) and basic pit latrines in these communities, assesses positive and negative perceptions of composting latrines, and determines perceptions of feces and the reuse of composted human excrement. The results reveal that of n=103 latrines 88.3% were completed and in use, but only 35.2% were properly covered. To promote proper usage of latrines, continued education and trainings need to be carried out in these communities. Respondents were also favorable to the use of composting latrines, with 61.2% of respondents saying they would be interested in building a composting latrine for their households. The main perceived benefit of composting latrines is the compost, and the most identified barrier to use was lack of prior experience. Other main barriers included user disgust and the amount of work it takes to own and operate the latrine. There were more identified incentives (12) than barriers (11) to composting latrine adoption. Respondents also reported they would react more favorably to their neighbor implementing the technology and using compost than their neighbor would react should the respondent do the same thing. These results indicate the importance of pilot projects in communities, allowing people to see the benefits of the technology and how it works before implementing a larger scale project. These projects would also reduce the stigma associated with being a first adopter. Statistical analysis revealed that the demographics of community, sanitation classification, gender, and primary occupation were significantly linked to survey statements used to measure perceptions on composting latrine use and the use of composted human excrement as a fertilizer. Age, gender, and household size were not found to have a statistically significant link to user perceptions on the same survey statements. Logistic regression analysis was then performed using SPSS statistical analysis software (version 24). The results of this research indicate the importance of setting up follow up trainings as many respondents had forgotten how to properly maintain their latrines. It also suggests the setup of pilot projects for composting latrines, as many respondents were favorable to the technology but did not want to try to own and operate a composting latrine without seeing a successful composting latrine first.

The shea tree is indigenous to 21 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and provides nuts from which oil (referred to as butter) can be extracted. Shea butter production in the Northern Region of Ghana is of socioeconomic importance to female processors who practice shea production. This study quantified the environmental effects of shea processing from carbon dioxide emissions and the human energy expended through the traditional, improved, and centralized methods of shea processing. Par-boiling accounted for up to 88% of total carbon dioxide emissions throughout the entire shea butter production process. A difference of 2.5(CO2 (kg))/(Shea butter (kg)) emitted observed between the traditional and centralized processing methods. The moisture content of 16 firewood samples collected at the centralized processing center found wood moisture to range between 9-34%. The largest amounts of human energy expended during traditional and improved processes take place during the nut collection process followed by manual crushing (40% and 20% of total energy expended during the traditional method, respectively). Women in the study area were found to travel an average of 10 km to pay for a corn mill to process their shea kernels into a paste, producers also expressed interest in mechanized crushing machines during household surveys. User perceptions of the improved roasting equipment were found to be positive, as well as adoption of the new technology was observed by all shea producers surveyed in the village of Tigla. The entirety of individual producers surveyed without access to improved roasters expressed interest in obtaining and utilizing improved roasters to improve the traditional method currently practiced. The profit observed from shea kernel processing and sales was found to be higher than women practicing traditional shea butter processing and sales due to time, energy, and inputs required by completing the entire process. Butter producers at centralized processing centers have the opportunity to make up to 33% higher profits while utilizing less energy (54% reduction) by purchasing directly from kernel producers and implementing improved technologies in a centralized setting. The potential of shea production in northern Ghana has yet to be reached. Through adoption of improved technologies, women have the opportunity to save time and human energy, reduce material inputs such as firewood, and in turn are able produce an even greater amount of marketable shea products.

It has been reported that globally we have achieved Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Target 7C, to halve the proportion of the population without access to safe drinking water; however, there is a major flaw with this statement. While Target 7C calls for access to `safe' drinking water, what is actually being measured and reported is access to an `improved' water source. The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains that they must use this proxy measure because the methods for water quality testing are too expensive and logistically complicated, but by doing so, they may be over reporting safe water coverage. This was shown to be true in Tamatave, Madagascar, where thermotolerant coliforms were detected in water from a type of `improved' source, the Pitcher Pump system. This research looked at several parameters - Pitcher Pump system depth, sampling neighborhood, requirement of pump priming, frequency that the system was repaired, distance from on-site sanitation, and number of users - to see if they were influencing water quality. Of all the parameters tested, only priming was found to be significantly associated with the levels of thermotolerant coliforms detected (Fisher exact test p = 0.03). Using a Mann-Whitney U test, it was shown that the median thermotolerant coliform concentration was significantly higher in primed wells (41.3 cfu/100 ml) than unprimed wells (3.5) (p = 0.01 cfu/100 ml). A pilot study was conducted to look at only the effect of depth and to determine if a depth could be identified that could provide safe drinking water. The result of the pilot study showed that, while thermotolerant coliform concentration did decrease with increasing depth, even at the deepest well of 9.4 m, levels were still above 100 cfu/100 ml. Additional research was conducted to investigate the performance and cost of three test kits for both total coliform and Escherichia coli quantification for water quality analysis in developing countries. IDEXX Colilert Quanti-trays[reg] (Colilert), Micrology Laboratories Coliscan[reg] Membrane Filtration tests (Coliscan MF) and a modified method for 3-M PetrifilmTM Coliform/E. coli plates (modified 3-M) were compared with standard membrane filtration (standard MF) methods under a range of incubation temperature conditions (22.0, 35.0 and 44.5[deg]C). Each test method was also performed by inexperienced volunteers, with the results compared to those of an experienced technician. At non-standard temperatures, Coliscan MF proved to be the most accurate when compared to standard methods, with a significant difference with only total coliforms at 44.5[deg]C. Modified 3-M had the poorest correlation with standard MF over the range of temperatures tested, with significant differences noted for all the temperatures except for E. coli at 44.5[deg]C. Inexperienced university volunteers found Colilert easiest to use, but Coliscan MF produced E. coli results that were most similar to the experts. Coliscan MF was found to have the overall best performance and lowest cost in this study; however, it did produce high numbers of false positive results.

<p>The aim of this paper is to investigate the impact of free education for all on the primary schools in Babati, Tanzania. The study is based on the fieldwork carried out in Babati district Tanzania, where information was gathered through qualitative methods. The empirical findings are analysed using a World Bank model of how educational inputs affects welfare outcomes. The study examines the millennium development goal with respect to giving every child an education. The study shows that a bigger impact can be seen in an increased enrolment in schools. That was the result of removing the primary school fees. This has resulted in overcrowding in the primary schools, lack of enough teachers, classrooms and learning material. However, over time the performances have improved. In the short term, the removal of school fees increased enrolment but resulted in poor quality of the education. In the long term, these problems are decreasing and the educational sector can now provide education to children that could not afford it before.</p>

The aim of this paper is to investigate the impact of free education for all on the primary schools in Babati, Tanzania. The study is based on the fieldwork carried out in Babati district Tanzania, where information was gathered through qualitative methods. The empirical findings are analysed using a World Bank model of how educational inputs affects welfare outcomes. The study examines the millennium development goal with respect to giving every child an education. The study shows that a bigger impact can be seen in an increased enrolment in schools. That was the result of removing the primary school fees. This has resulted in overcrowding in the primary schools, lack of enough teachers, classrooms and learning material. However, over time the performances have improved. In the short term, the removal of school fees increased enrolment but resulted in poor quality of the education. In the long term, these problems are decreasing and the educational sector can now provide education to children that could not afford it before.

Set in 2000, with a completion date of 2015, the deadline for the Millennium Development Goals is approaching, at which time a new global development infrastructure will become operational. Unsurprisingly, the discussions on goals, topics, priorities and monitoring and evaluation are gaining momentum. But this is a critical juncture. Over a decade of development programming offers a unique opportunity to reflect on its structure, function and purpose in a contemporary global context. This article examines the topic from an analytical health perspective and identifies universal health equity as an operational and analytical priority to encourage attention to the root causes of unnecessary and unfair illness and disease from the perspectives of those for whom the issues have most direct relevance.

The world has made important efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) by 2015. However, it is still insufficient and inequalities prevail in the poorest settings. We tracked selected MDG, barriers for their achievement, and community actions that help to accelerate the pace of their accomplishment in two Nicaraguan communities (León and Cuatro Santos). In the first two studies we track the progress of MDG4 (reduce child mortality) using the under-five mortality rate. Inequalities in mortality were mainly assessed by means of maternal education, but other social stratifications were performed on rural-urban residence and sub-regional comparisons between both communities. The last two studies describe community interventions in Cuatro Santos and their association with progress toward MDG1 (poverty reduction). Participation in interventions and poverty were visualized geographically in this remote rural community between 2004 and 2009. Other selected MDG targets were also tracked. These communities will possibly meet MDG4 even before 2015. In León, MDG progress has been accompanied by a decline in child mortality. Despite social inequalities with regard to mortality persisting in education and places of residence, these have decreased. However, it is crucial to reduce neonatal mortality if MDG4 is to be achieved. For example, in León the percentage of under-five deaths in the neonatal period has doubled from 1970 to 2005. In the remote rural area of Cuatro Santos, progress has been accelerated and no child mortality differences were observed despite the level of a mother’s education. Cuatro Santos has also progressed in the reduction of poverty and extreme poverty. The participation of the population in such community interventions as microcredit, home gardening, technical training, safe drinking water, and latrines has increased. Microcredit was an intervention that was unequally distributed in this rural area, where participation was lower in poor and extremely poor households than in non-poor households. In those households that transitioned from poor to non-poor status, microcredit, home gardening, and technical training were associated with this transition. Furthermore spatial analysis revealed that clusters of low participation in interventions overlapped with clusters of high poverty households.

The Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development is expected to result in the launching of a process to devise a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2015. Whilst indicators are perceived to be a good vehicle of monitoring progress, currently there is no universally agreed method of measuring sustainable development. This thesis addresses this issue through assessing whether the capabilities approach can be adopted for a global framework in measuring sustainable development. In order to determine this, both theoretical and practical implications will have to be understood. The former is addressed through reviewing the compatibility between the key concepts of sustainable development and the capabilities approach. The latter is addressed through obtaining empirical evidence on the key drivers in selecting indicators via focus group discussions and a quantitative survey with key individuals involved in the Sustainable Development Indicators (SDIs) project in Malaysia. It was found that a weak conceptual basis can be attributed as the major challenge for establishing global sustainable development indicators. Whilst recognising that a range of mechanisms are required for operationalization, it was concluded that the capabilities approach provides a sound conceptual basis, framed on the basis of justice and equity in expanding and sustaining the capabilities of current and future generations to pursue their needs.

As the traditional role of corporate entities have been challenged by an increased number of demands from society, companies are no longer just legal factors intended to generate profits by supplying products or services. Instead, they are expected to play the role of responsible co-citizens of the community, taking social and environmental responsibility for the consequences of their actions. Implementing sustainable practices into business strategies is considered beneficial for both organizations and society, as it brings organizations opportunities for growth and development, as well as a more sustainable future for society. One way for businesses to ensure their responsibilities regarding sustainability issues and maintaining sustainable business practices has been depicted in the United Nation’s eight goals termed the ‘Millennium Development Goals’ (MDGs). Previous research argues that organizations must incorporate sustainable practices into their different organizational strategies such as marketing, purchasing, and finance in order to maintain organizational growth and contribute to sustainable development. This issue has become especially important in developing countries as emerging markets compose great opportunities for businesses in terms of growth and development. An emerging market and developing country providing humongous growth opportunities for businesses is Malaysia. However, limited research has been conducted connecting the concepts sustainable development and marketing strategies, and how these may lead to an accelerated achievement of the MDGs within developing countries. In order to answer the purpose of the study, a qualitative approach using open, - and semistructured interviews together with observations was chosen as the most appropriate research method. Four international firms operating on the Malaysian market participated in the study and the findings indicated that having a well-developed sustainability marketing strategy and striving for a sustainable future does bring organizations competitive advantage and growth opportunities, and thereby an accelerated achievement of the MDGs.