Kenema — The Kenema city council, district council and other non-governmental organizations have launched the open defecation free sanitary campaign to stop rural community dwellers from defecating in the bush, on streams and nearby houses.

Coordinator of health and sanitation in the Kenema city council Mohamed Nyallah told residents of Tilorma Village in the district that the act was completely against simple hygiene rules.

He said the campaign would influence residents to erect local toilets in their communities. They have been sensitizing members of those communities on the effects of defecating in the open.

"We have been able to successfully explain to villagers that the act causes severe health hazard. When they defecate in the bush or in the open cholera and other air borne diseases are bound to affect them," he said.

Nyallah added that he was impressed with toilets constructed by people in Tilorma village: "I am really impressed with the local structures you people have built with local materials. You have definitely met conditions set aside by open defecation free campaign. With time this community will be receiving some help from the council and other partners in development," he assured.

Mayor of Kenema Chief Brima Kargbo expressed delight at the locally made toilets by the Tilorma people.

He said, defecating in the bush and rivers was inhuman and could pose health threat to the community.

An elder Mustapha Sandy thanked the councils for their initiative to change the lifestyle of people in the rural communities.

"We were used to defecating in the bush, but since we built our local toilets the practice has stopped. We can now walk in our farm freely without the disgusting sight of defecation," he said.

He further called on the authorities to extend same facility to other villages.