Saving Lives at Risk from Open Defacation

1.5 Billion

The number of dollars the World Bank contributed for building latrines in India.

The number of people who die globally each year from polluted water diseases.

Much of the world is in a war against the perils caused by inadequate or non-existent sanitation. People as diverse as Matt Damon, a Hollywood celebrity, award-winning actor and producer/screenwriter, and Narendra Modi, the current prime minister of India, are battling uphill against open defecation (in the sewers, in running streams, by the roadsides, in the fields and the forests, in garbage dumps).

Mr. Modi actually campaigned for office with the slogan “Toilets Before Temples.” Using Gandhi’s 150th birthday—October 2, 2019—as a goal, the Indian prime minister declared his intention to end open defecation in the country by that date. A campaign was framed, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission), and $40 billion was allotted for building latrines and changing mindsets.

GFA’s Story: Helping to Improve Sanitation in Asia
GFA World started building latrines in 2012, setting a goal of constructing some 15,000 concrete outhouses by 2016. Potable water, of course, travels hand in hand with sanitation, and in 2016, the ministry’s field partners constructed more than 6,822 “Jesus Wells” and distributed 14,886 BioSand Water Filters to purify drinking water.

A village elder expressed thanks: “The church is always concerned about the need of people and works hard for a brilliant life for the community.”

There, indeed, is a thread that runs through GFA World’s stories of toilets: The pastor of the church in this village or that hamlet seems to be the catalyst for health improvement.

To read Karen’s informative report, visit What If You Didn’t Have a Toilet?

Sources

• Missions Box