Toilet Poverty

What Are the Benefits of Curing Sanitation Poverty?

Toilet poverty
Sanitation poverty
Hygiene poverty
Poverty dental care

In relation to sanitation poverty, the World Health Organization estimates that in 2020 only 54 percent of the global population used a safely managed sanitation service.[1] There remains a great need in the world, especially in developing countries, for the development of sustainable sanitation services like toilets, hand-washing facilities and so on.

Many relief organizations are committed to seeing this statistic improve, knowing that families and communities are positively impacted when a community toilet is constructed. Something as simple as a sanitation station or toilet can make a life-changing difference.

There are many benefits to providing sanitation stations. Here are some:

  • Disease Prevention – When people defecate in a sanitary way (rather than in the open) and wash their hands with soap, it reduces the spread of diseases like intestinal worms. This in turn helps prevent malnutrition that is common with the spread of disease.[2]
  • Safety – Women and girls put themselves at risk of abuse when having to relieve themselves in the open. Sanitation facilities promote safety, especially for women and girls.[3]
  • Education – Yes, sanitation impacts education. When children have adequate toilets and hygiene stations in school, they are more likely to stay in school. This is especially true for girls, whose school attendance is boosted when they have access to a separate toilet.[4]
  • Water Cleanliness – When people are not resorting to open defecation, the water is cleaner for irrigation and drinking.
  • Improved Economy – The World Health Organization estimates that improved sanitation in developing countries would provide $9 economic benefit per every $1 spent.[5] That’s a tremendous economic impact.

Sanitation poverty has the potential to be completely cured! GFA World is committed to helping in this area one sanitation facility at a time. These community development projects give hope to families living in impoverished villages, offering health and well-being.

GFA’s community development projects go far beyond meeting physical needs. Everything GFA missionaries do they do in the name and love of Jesus, and they minister to spiritual needs in the community as well. Join us in supporting our community development project today. An outdoor toilet can be donated for just $540. The external structure may vary, but each unit includes a dual tank system for optimized sanitation.[6] Will you join us in our quest to end sanitation poverty and toilet poverty?

Learn more about toilet poverty

[1] “Sanitation.” World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sanitation. March 21, 2020.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] “Sanitation and Poverty.” The Borgen Project referring to the World Health Organization’s International Year of Sanitation. https://borgenproject.org/sanitation-and-poverty. Accessed October 28, 2022.
[6] “Donation Center.” GFA World. https://www.gfa.org/donation/all. Accessed October 28, 2022.