It cannot be said enough. Cleanliness is very important, for individuals, families and communities. Basic cleanliness and sanitation goes a long way in saving endless money spent on health care later. It prevents lots of unnecessary sickness and death.
But that is not all. There are many other benefits of toilets, which we don’t think much about:
1. Privacy: a basic shelter makes anyone feel secure while they are using a toilet. Even if its just a hole in the ground, the presence of a wall and roof gives the much needed privacy which is the fundamental dignity for any individual.
2. Safety: Not just women and girls, even children and men need safe toilets. Safe not only in terms of structure, but in terms of location, hygiene and facilities.
3. Comfort: Today we have comfortable squat toilets or seat toilets, but imagine days when people had to use the open jungles or grounds which were very uncomfortable. A well-built toilet also gives a sense of comfort.
Imagine if everybody has access to toilets with above three features, how much time and worry will be saved for them. How they can go about their other important activities without worrying for their basic comfort, safety and privacy. How much productivity will be increased in economies with more people who are healthy and functional? Especially in third world economies where this problem is the most acute, having basic sanitation facilities will be a great boon.
But this is now one person’s responsibility. Many people across sectors, classes, backgrounds need to come together and collaborate to make this dream a reality. The success requires support from across the private sector, governments and common people. They all need to understand the importance of making sanitation a high priority, they need to share this purpose, goals and willingness to not only give their time or money but also their commitment and support.
Many responsible organizations are not realizing the role they can play in this area. They are realizing that a healthy community is as much their responsibility as it is of a government. Private players are coming forward to offer resources towards such important initiatives. They are conducting studies / researches, spreading awareness, starting mobilization programs and planning other programs around such themes. Domes is one brand that is working actively in this area now. Here’s what I found about their activities on the internet:
About The Domex Toilet Academy
Domex, HUL’s flagship sanitation brand, currently runs the Domex Toilet Academy (DTA) programme. Domex Toilet Academy was launched on 19th November 2013. It aims to become a sustainable and long-term solution to provide sanitation that benefits the local community and helps stimulate the local economy. The Toilet Academy makes toilets accessible and affordable, while promoting the benefits of clean toilets & good hygiene. Our effort has resulted in bringing the change in the villages of Maharashtra and Orissa and we aim to build 24000 toilets by 2015 in rural areas faced with the problem of open defecation.
I’m very glad about their actions. You can bring about the change in the lives of millions of kids, thereby showing your support for the Domex Initiative. All you need to do is “click” on the “Contribute Tab” on http://www.domex.in and Domex will contribute Rs.5 on your behalf to eradicate open defecation, thereby helping kids like Babli live a dignified life.
