Toilets in Nicaragua. Photos by Jennifer Iacovelli
Is it weird that I’m excited for World Toilet Day? I mean, what other day allows for potty talk all day long? And you can get away with making a photo collage of latrines.
World Toilet Day was created by the United Nations to recognize the life-saving importance of toilets and sanitation and to raise awareness about the fact that one in three people around the world have no safe and sanitary place to “go” when nature calls.
If you follow me, you know clean water and sanitation are important causes for me. You also know that WaterAid America is an organization close to my heart.
I was honored to have traveled to Nicaragua back in March to see WaterAid’s work on the ground. I saw how women and teenage girls were being trained to build and maintain wells and toilets, giving them skills, income and a better way of life for their entire community. I stayed at Linda’s house where I ate dinner with a headlamp on, slept under a mosquito net, and climbed up rickety stairs to get to the outdoor toilet (pictured in the above collage on the left) while dodging livestock.
While there are times I wish I could go back to the simplicity of Nicaragua, the sheer lack of clean water, sanitation and infrastructure still boggles my mind.
WaterAid released the Child of Mine report today. The image below gives you a snapshot of the findings. The statistics are staggering. (Download the full 12-page report)
So what is WaterAid America doing to bring awareness to these issues on World Toilet Day? On Friday, November 21 Hallie Tamez, WaterAid America’s Associate Director of Major Gifts, will be carrying a 40-pound jerry can filled with water across Manhattan in solidarity with the women and girls across the globe who have no choice but to do this every day.
How cool is that? (Actually, I told Hallie she was pretty badass. Because she is. Just look at that photo below.) Hallie says:
The #Steps4Water event will highlight the daily experiences of women and children living without clean water. As we shed light on this issue, we look forward to welcoming new supporters to help raise funds on #GivingTuesday, December 2, 2014.
Go, Hallie, go!
You can find Hallie’s route on WaterAid’s website. If you spot her and post a photo to Instagram, tagged with @WaterAidAmerica and #Steps4Water, you could win a dinner for two at Spasso NYC.
So what can you do? Here are some action steps for you on World Toilet Day:
- Stay tuned for updates from WaterAid America CEO Sarina Prabasi on Twitter via @SPrabasi and @WaterAidAmerica on World Water Day as she talks about open defecation and the challenges for women and girls at a special UN panel alongside representatives from UN Water, the Republic of Singapore and more. The event will be webcast on United Nations Web TV from 1p.m. to 3p.m. EDT on November 19.
- Ask Congress to support the Water for the World Act. The US House Foreign Affairs Committee will be debating the bill on November 20. It’s our last chance to get the bill passed before year end!
- Celebrate the importance of toilets with WaterAid and their friends at Go Green Environmental Services at a World Toilet Day celebration (PDF, 300KB) with live music, free food and beer at 119 Rocky Point Road, Middle Island, New York on November 19 at 4p.m. EDT.
- Test your toilet trivia and learn more about sanitation at the Eww! What’s Eating You? exhibit at Exploration Place in Wichita, Kansas.
- Read more about the sanitation crisis
Definitely exciting and you really get to check out such interesting and amazing things way too often. Thanks for sharing 😉
Janine Huldie recently posted..Emma’s School Star Week Plus 100th Wonderful Wednesday!
I’m a lucky gal, Janine. Blogging has been amazing for me. 🙂
anotherjennifer recently posted..(Not at all) Wordless Wednesday: Happy World Toilet Day!
It blows my mind the lack of sanitation in so many part of the world, when we have such easy access to it (and take it for granted). Thanks for sharing, Jen!
Bev recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Let her eat cake
I agree, Bev. The stats are pretty eye-opening. We are so very lucky.
anotherjennifer recently posted..Clash of the Couples: Lynn vs. Scott
We’ve had problems with our sewer when there’s flooding by us, and when we can’t flush our toilets or take showers it’s frustrating. I can’t imagine living without access to clean, working toilets on a daily basis!
Ginny Marie recently posted..Bucket List {Tuesday Ten}
We take so much for granted when it comes to water, food, and even shelter.
Susan Zutautas recently posted..Coffee on Wordless Wednesday
Damn 1 in 3? I didn’t realize that number was so high! The little things we take for granted.. Like going to the bathroom, popping a squat, and flushing. Jeez.. Thanks for sharing Jennifer and happy hump day! -Iva
AwesomelyOZ recently posted..Research Corner: Language is Brain Exercise
Holy cow about stunted growth caused by five or more cases of diarrhea! That made me want to cry.
I love that you love World Toilet Day.
Tamara recently posted..Laughing Like Children, Living Like Lovers.
1 in 3 people…. that just sickens me!! How do we have such distorted world priorities when THIS is going on? Oh, how I wish I was totally one of those billionaires…. I would make damn sure everyone had clean water and toilets and sanitary conditions… breaks my heart.
Thanks for constantly sharing such important and vital statistics about all of the needs of this world, Jennifer!! You are the bridge to hope and making a difference we can all walk through to help.
Chris Carter recently posted..Called to Care for the Sick and Wounded
Darn it! I missed world Toilet Day! I was too absorbed in myself this year. But, maybe I’ll post about it tomorrow, in retro!!! 🙂 It’s never too late to bring awareness about the Toilets, right?
Alexa recently posted..Children Grieve Too
It is absolutely beyond comprehension when you see that chart of statistics. 1/3 of the entire world?! Good for Hallie for taking such a step to truly bring recognition to this issue…and of course to you for sharing it.-Ashley
thedoseofreality recently posted..Top 10 Funniest Ways People Have Found Our Blog
Fabulous post! Are you familiar with the book Holy Shit! which is all about better ways of managing all manures!
commonweeder recently posted..Cold and Ice on Wordless Wednesday