The idea germinated in the head of Fatou Niakaté during the year 2019. She was marauding in Bordeaux and talking with homeless people, “we realized that there was this difficulty in finding places because the baths and showers all close” she says and the hours are not always adapted.
Often, homeless people to get a shower are forced to go through an accommodation service. They also want to wash on Sunday – Fatou Niakaté
Hence the idea of Zoto Douche, “it is a five square meter shower cubicle, fixed, connected, automatic and self-service“explains Fatou Niakaté, “with heating, antibacterial floor and a dispenser of hygiene products, soap, shower gel, razors or sanitary towels”.
Zoto Douche will take care of the maintenance of these showers: “We will come to do cleaning and maintenance” specifies the business manager. The homeless people she met even asked Fatou Niakaté about possible drug addicts. “who could leave a syringe in the shower”. Fatou Niakaté found the solution by working with engineers “with a blue light system, the drug addict will not be able to prick himself because he will not see his veins”.
Showers for everyone
These cabins, accessible for a low price, could be of interest to a wider public than the homeless and Fatou Niakaté to discuss “truck drivers, athletes or travelers“, with the installation of equipment in stations, ports and airports. Fatou Niakaté assures us, these automatic showers will take less space than public toilets and can be integrated into the landscape to respect the environment.
A call for funding
Fatou Niakaté is already in contact with the town halls of Paris and Le Havre. The business manager needs 148,000 euros to carry out his project and knocking on all doors: BPI France, Banque des Territoires, Regional Council of Normandy, “I wrote to Hervé Morin and I will be delighted that he puts the first piece for the grant” emphasizes Fatou Niakaté and reminds us of the job creations in view for Zoto Douche.