Oh come on, don’t make a face. It should not be something very difficult to talk about. You have one, so do I. We have a nice running water supply and a clean wash basin and hand wash, too. So why do we squirm or grimace when someone starts talking about the ‘T’ word. Maybe because a majority of our countrymen are not fortunate enough to own one? Or are we willing to ignore this problem because it does not matter to us?
Last year, when I started off as a first year student of rural development, I was really ambitious. We need to discuss about ill effects of open defecation? No problem! I had a fool proof plan in my head to not only ensure that people know why open defecation is bad, but also to see to it that their mindset is changed. With starry eyes, I entered a village from the first day onwards started preaching. That was my mistake, preaching, not listening. By the end of the third day, after I was frustrated at seeing no results, I decided to slow down. A went to a group of women for a casual chat. And that casual chat taught me one of the biggest lessons in social work, ‘Never ever assume’.
When I spoke to the group of women they gave me various reasons for not having a toilet
“I cannot afford it”
“I have filled the form in the Panchayat, but they won’t pass it without a bribe”
“I have a toilet but no water supply”
“We needed money urgently so we used the money meant for building a toilet. Now, we are not eligible for the scheme anymore”
The problems they faced due to not having a toilet were:
“Those boys giggle when I pass by with a lota of water”
“People on the road stare at me”
“Men stop by just to harass us”
“I have to go at 3 in the morning and insects bite me”
I went to one village after the other and talked to countless number of women. All of them wanted one thing. A toilet. Not a fancy demand is it? But unfortunately, their families just did not have the means for getting one. The government has the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan in place, which is good on paper, but in reality, there are very few households who actually benefit from it. This is where Domex has stepped in and has started the Domex Toilet Academy (DTA) programme where it aims to provide basic sanitation facilities to 24, 000 households by end of 2015.
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 www.domex.inand Domex will contribute Rs.5 on your behalf to eradicate open defecation, thereby helping kids like Babli live a dignified life.
Babli and her family are waiting for a toilet. You can help them with a click. The question is will you?
This post has written as a part of #ToiletForBabli initiative in association with domex.in and Indiblogger. Image has been taken from domex.in
I am a 25 year old blogger who believes in the power of story telling and using personal experiences to blog about things close to my heart. I started Munni of all Trades 4 years back to share my ideas, thoughts and views on things that I am passionate about. I blog about things that make me happy and by extension my readers, too..
Domex is doing a great job and thank for spreading this among your friends.
Khushboo , Your social commitment with your superb writing skill made big impact for Domex's Toilet for Babli project
Happy to hear that you are actively involved in this project. We need to get these basic facilities to our villages to ensure good sanitation for everyone. Will definitely contribute.
Well, toilet is a vital part of each family. For some that cannot afford, by all means, it's time to do your responsibility through the local officials and Domex.
It is very eye opening to see that some people still don't have what most of us take for granted ! What a great project to ensure everybody get good sanitation.
This is a bit surprising from Domex but I'm so happy about this project! Such a great cause! 🙂
In the past, before auto flush toilets were invented, there will be collectors every few days going door to door collecting the buckets of motion… something I'm glad I don't have to experience… I forgot, this is still existing in many other countries…
I agree that Domex is doing a good job with this campaign. It's really more than just having a potty, but all the other circumstances that surround it.
I know this may not sound so friendly to other people, but I can't imagine not having a toilet. So, kudos to Domex for this campaign. It's all about hygiene and it's important that people are taught and constantly reminded.
We take it for granted because we see toilets everyday, but there are people who do not have this supposedly basic necessity in the home. It is not a luxury to have a toilet. It is for hygiene, sanitation and prevention of disease.
Having a toilet is a must in every families no matter what your status in life is. Glad someone is making an initiative to create awareness of the importance of having a toilet.
Sometimes we don't have to be impressive on how we talk. Most of the time, we should find a certain meeting point with our audience to be effective. This is a really nice initiative by Domex and hope they be able to do more of this.
Yes the awareness is extremely important and of course it's a great initiative, if its not happened earlier,,
I've read about this initiative earlier this week (just can't remember if its from this blog, sorry!) but yes, Domex is really doing a great job. Even here in the Philippines, there are houses that do not have a toilet or at least a clean one. It's sad because some are not aware of how toilets produce a lot of germs & bacteria that can cause sickness. It's good Domex are not only trying to help others have a toilet but also informing them about this issue.
Great CSR Domex! This was the concern in some rural areas of our country before, but I think right now, this has been addressed. Toilet is a necessity and it needs to be provided. Toilets should be clean to maintain a healthy environment. Waters are necessary to achieve such too. My salute to Domex for taking initiative. This is a bold write up and stepping up to help your community!
I'm very impressed by their initiative to fight for the better. They're doing a great job and this is an excellent write up 🙂 all the best for the cause!
We take these luxuries for granted so much! they are doing such great work x
I have to admit that living in the Western Hemisphere this is not an issue too many people face here. Certainly we do take things for granted though..
I agree with you — not a fancy demand. It is a need.
Hope Domex can finish their mission by next year. Blogging for a cause, kudos.
This is a necessary and practical need. As I read your post, I was thinking about the health impact of having toilets that save people from tapeworms and other fecal borne diseases.
Toilet is a necessity. I'm glad you shared this with us. I couldn't imagine being in their shoes.
HOpe Babli and the family get their toilet the soonest! 🙂
Toilet is such important. Too bad it can be something luxury to others. 🙁