November 19 is
UNICEF's World Toilet Day. The message is that we can't wait while 2.5 billion people lack access to the improved sanitation we take for granted.
To spread awareness of this cause, I'm posting photos of the outhouses next door to Elmira Pond. The Elmira Schoolhouse had one for boys, one for girls and one for teacher.
Millions of girls in the world today are denied access to school because of the lack of basic sanitation.
THINX is an innovative panty company helping to overcome this deprivation.
Truly, we sit on porcelain thrones every day.
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| His |
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| Hers |
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| Student Privies |
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| Teacher's Private Toilet |
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| View of Elmira Pond From the Student Privies |
Linking up with Abracabadra for Wordless Wednesday. Photos by Charli Mills.
Thanks for sharing this. We take so many things for granted everyday, and sometimes, we need a reality check. Great photos, too.
ReplyDeletePuts things in perspective, doesn't it? Thanks!
DeleteI'm sure there would have been an outhouse in my backyard somewhere. There's an actual cement disk in the middle of the yard. I'm thinking this is where it would have sat.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that old outhouses are great for hunting lost coins...but not sure I'd be willing to dig! :-) Fun! You have your own outhouse pad!
DeleteBasic sanitation is much essential in our advanced world.
ReplyDeleteHope everyone has access soon.
Apt message & pics.
Access would resolve so many problems from sanitation to health to social issues. Thanks!
DeleteOuthouses, can you imagine using them in the winter? Yikes. My cousins had one in Dunedin, Florida. It was non-gender specific.
ReplyDeleteWinter would be the worst time to trudge to the privy! Although the smell in the summer (oh, my goodness--Florida!) would be powerful. I once read that the cut-out of the crescent moon often found on outhouses designated it as "female." But for practicality, most homesteads had one. It's amazing that this school has three!
Deletewow! we take these basic necessities for granted. Agree with Jessica's comment.
ReplyDeleteAs anita pointed out...this sanitation has unfortunately not yet reaced many developing countries.
Cheers to this special day...which is as imp as each breath we take!
Thanks for linking up. Always a pleasure to have you onboard :)
Basic sanitation in our modern world should be a basic right. I love the innovative ideas, though that people are coming up with for solutions. Thanks, Ruchira!
DeleteFood, shelter, clothes, are basic necessities, so is sanitation. As you said "we sit on porcelain thrones every day."
ReplyDeleteEspecially for girls and women, toilets are a part of those basic needs. We can't be who we are without that foundation. There's good work going on towards improving sanitation, but more awareness is needed! Thanks!
DeleteOuthouses interest me. I guess because we had Amish neighbors and I used their facilities. Now, I watch shows about people who want to live off-grid, but still want a fancy-pants bathroom instead of an outhouse. After having spent three months in Costa Rica, MANY years ago, I am fully aware that sometimes an outhouse is a step up. We are very privileged here at home.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I came away with, too is that outhouses are much better than what exists in some places. In some ways, our western Victorian prim-and-proper values had led to good resolutions! But yes, some peple put too much emphasis on the luxury of the throne room!
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