February Flush Fundraiser

So we’re setting down a challenge for the month that we hope you can all take part in. Before I set the challenge, let me tell you a little bit about the need.

Whenever you go to Uganda, you guarantee you can come home with a ‘toilet’ story. When you’re used to using a European toilet, a pit latrine is a whole new and VERY different experience. There have been tales of having to trek in the dark, torch in hand to the nearest loo, that is up the mountain. The time when a group leader kung fu kicked the latrine door in case there was something behind it, only to find another group member. All the stories of forgetting the golden rule of never looking up when you’re in the latrine, and then breaking the rule and wondering why you did when you realise what little (or big) creatures you are sharing this small space with!!! Having a chameleon or lizard share the small latrine space with you, who refuses to leave the door. Wondering how many mosquitoes are actually buzzing around in there, and praying they don’t get in places you’d rather they didn’t. The fears of anything dropping down the latrine while you’re in there and knowing that once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. So cameras are never taken in, torches are strapped on and you wear no valuables!

And how often do we take our toilet facilities for granted?

We think of it as an essential part of our house. It is safe and warm, we can lock the door and flush after every use. We can have the comfort of a toilet seat to rest upon.

How often do we think about those who don’t even have a latrine to use, let alone a European toilet?

You see toilets are few and far between in Uganda. Some houses have their own latrine but this again is deemed a luxury.

Did you know……

· 2.5 billion people across the world don’t have somewhere safe to go to the toilet (WHO / UNICEF)

· In Africa, half of young girls who drop out of school do so because they need to collect water – often from many miles away – or because the school hasn’t got a basic toilet.

· The lack of a loo makes women and girls a target for sexual assault as they go to the toilet in the open, late at night

· Many women get bitten by snakes as they squat in the grass to go to the toilet (Toilet Twinning)

And for us –we take for granted every flush.

I have built up amazing friendships in a small mountain village in Uganda. The family there who host us are truly that – family. James and Robinah work so hard on making the best of the resources they have and make a positive impact on the local community. James runs the local church and Robinah oversees the management of the primary school. Over the years I have helped fundraise for both the school and church and have invested my time in these two projects.

Pastor James, relaxing at home
 

Robinah, the best Ugandan cook around

 

Resources are always tight but they keep carrying on. There have been times when the challenges seem so vast and I have been unable to help and felt even more helpless by being miles away from them. This time there is a new challenge and I need your help……

A few years ago, the village experienced some very heavy rain. The rain took out walls in the classroom and caused a lot of damage to the surrounding area when mudslides hit. People in the neighbouring villages were killed by the mudslides. It was a horrific time.

Years later and the school is being rebuilt bit by bit. Friends have fundraised and sponsored classrooms so that the new facilities are stronger to withstand the weather. But there is an immediate need.

The mudslides destroyed the pit latrines the school once had.

For all of you who may have visions of toilets in their minds - here's the reality of what a latrine looks like from the inside

And here's my friend Rachel, heading to the latrine

Robinah text me last weekend and asked if I could help. I hadn’t thought of an exact fundraiser for our visit, but knew a need would arise that we would be called to help with. This is it!

We want to raise enough money to build at least one block of Aline pit latrines. These are the best available for the soil in the area. One block of 4 cubicles, each housing a latrine, will cost approx. £1000. That’s the minimum we need to raise. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to far exceed this amount and really bless these children with the things we take for granted?

So here’s the part where you get to help?

We could be really boring and ask you to make a donation, which of course is still very welcome, but we really want you to think about what every penny is going towards.

So for the whole month of February (the reason why this blog had to go live today and not tomorrow) we want you to donate a minimum of 20p every time you flush your toilet. February is a short month – only 28 days to raise our funds, so I think this is very achievable.

Are you with me?

Will you help fundraise with every flush this February?

With your help we can give this school safe toilet facilities. We can make sure there are no hidden risks in taking a toilet stop. We can safeguard the children and stop them from being so vulnerable. We can stop kids getting sick or even dying due to poor sanitation! We can help girls stick to their education and be in school every day.

These are the children who will benefit from your donations

So get spreading the word about our fundraiser – maybe collect at a toilet in your workplace, or have a family saving scheme at home. Whatever way you want to take part, if we all join in, our target can be well exceeded!

Posters are available if you want to advertise at home, work or school. 

 

Please leave a comment below or facebook me to say if you’re going to be signing up and taking part. If you send me your email I can send you a poster through.   

A big thank you in advance for every penny you raise.