That’s how Dahabo Diriye, a 56-year-old mother with 14 people in her household, has lived every day for years.
“Because we live in a culture where the privacy of women is highly regarded, it is disgraceful for a woman or girl to be seen relieving herself,” she said.
Women in Dahabo’s village must wait until dark, then walk into the bush to relieve themselves. This is both dangerous and unsanitary. Diseases like cholera and typhoid easily spread without sanitation.
When villagers use a bush or an open field as a toilet, it’s more than just humiliating. Human waste is full of germs, bacteria and pathogens that cause disease. Flies transmit these diseases to people. And worse, without toilets, fecal matter finds its way into the water supply. The fact is, without sanitation, deadly disease spreads quickly—diseases that kill.
It doesn’t have to be this way. We can easily solve this problem. You can offer dignity and better health to a family through the practical gift of an outdoor toilet—a latrine. Your generosity will help provide a toilet, soap and training and change the life of someone like Dahabo.
Together, we can offer health, dignity and hope in desperate places.
Elizabeth, a local hygiene trainer in Dahabo’s village, says the problem is dire. “There are many children who have bad diarrhea—children who are dying of diarrhea,” she said. “But with sanitation and basic hygiene, we have the chance to help.”
We have a goal of constructing 100 latrines in Dahabo’s village— and more in many other desperate communities.
Your gift will improve health and restoring dignity for moms, dads and children, by offering things we take for granted every day:
All of this together helps stop the spread of disease.
For a donation of $51, you can help provide access to a latrine for one person. Please donate today.
