Mud to Mortar: Improving Household Flooring for Better Health
Dirt floors are a documented vector for disease. They harbor parasites, bacteria, and pathogens that cause diarrhea, typhoid fever, hepatitis, and respiratory illness — conditions that disproportionately affect young children and are among the leading causes of preventable death in low-income settings. A concrete floor, properly constructed and paired with health education, eliminates this vector and fundamentally changes the hygiene conditions of the home. Mud to Mortar has completed six phases in Bangladesh, constructing new concrete floors in 371 homes and delivering hygiene and sanitation education to participating households. In recent phases, the project has incorporated a women's economic empowerment component, training community members as masonry assistants and providing hands-on construction experience as part of the program. Phase 6, currently underway, integrates a community-driven dengue prevention and control component in response to persistent dengue transmission in the same communities — combining built-environment intervention with environmental management and community health education.
Documented Impact: 371 homes with improved flooring across six phases. Documented reductions in diarrhea, respiratory illness, and skin conditions among participating households. Reduced healthcare expenditure and time costs for participating families. Women trained in masonry skills, expanding economic participation.