Most of us don’t think twice about our bathrooms, much less how having a toilet affects our dignity. But for others around the world, latrines can make the difference between danger and safety, humiliation and honor. One community in Kenya knows this firsthand.
There’s a village in Kenya (name withheld for security reasons) that has been an inspiration to many. For the past several months, the community has made strides in embracing change. As a result, it’s been experiencing a facelift—out of 252 households, all have constructed latrines made from materials that are available locally.
County officials earmarked the village for the annual World Toilet Day celebrations, the theme of which was “My Toilet, My Dignity.” The village became the first community in its county to be declared free from open defecation, which contaminates water sources, causes the spread of disease, and leaves women and children vulnerable to attack.
The achievement has stimulated friendly competition among neighboring communities. A number of leaders from other villages have approached Samaritan’s Purse to inquire about the steps necessary to achieve the same status!
Another observable change thanks to a well that Samaritan’s Purse repaired and improved, is that residents of this village now have time to engage in social economic activities. Women can be seen weaving mats in groups because they don’t have to spend as much time collecting water.
And one final piece of good news—although 99 percent of the population is non-Christian, one couple in the area has come to Christ. The husband and wife were curious about Christianity after we showed a film about Jesus. Now the husband travels 34 kilometers by motorbike to attend church in another community.
That’s what the Good News can do!
