Asmin found that what she most valued for her family could not be measured in precious metal – once she was inspired by learning about the dangers of open defecation.

Asmin was born to a poor family in Kustia Uttar, a small village in Bangladesh. She and her family defecated in the open beside their kitchen. When flies buzzed around their food it did not bother the family, as they were used to this. However, they suffered from frequent sicknesses. In 2003 Asmin got married and had a son and family life continued much as before.

In 2008, Unnayan Shahojogy Team (UST), a national NGO in Bangladesh began raising awareness in her village of the health hazards of open defecation. Asmin understood that this practice had to stop. But economic hardship prevented her from thinking that it was possible to build a toilet or change her family's situation.

The president of the Paribesh Unnayan Committee (CBO), Mrs. Aleya Begum, visited Asmin's house helped her understand that the disastrous hygiene situation and inadequate sanitation was dangerous, giving many examples of those who had suffered adverse effects. Asmin also attended a CBO courtyard meeting that explained the importance of a hygienic and clean latrine and the use of safe water and clean surroundings. The Chairman of Dhubaria saw the terrible sanitation situation of the poor families and promised to provide hygienic sanitation, but said that Asmin would have to wait for several months.

In the meantime Asmin’s son suffered serious diarrhoea and she felt extremely worried. It made her think again about the hygienic latrine, knowing that it would treat the real cause of the disease. She then remembered that she had a very old silver bracelet she received as a wedding present. Together with her husband, they decided to sell the bracelet. With the money, Asmin bought medicine for her child and materials to build a homemade latrine. A rural engineer helped her to install it.

"A tremendous success for my family"

Asmin shares her feelings about her toilet: “It was really a tremendous success for my family that at last we had built a hygienic latrine. It not only protects us from diseases but also enhances my family’s social dignity. Now I think how my life has changed with just a few pieces of information. I feel very proud to have saved my child from excreta and water borne diseases. I want to prevent other people in my community from getting sick. Now we are all using hygienic latrines, washing our hands with soap or ash after defecating. I am committed to working against open defecation.”

Asmin: Now we are all using hygienic latrines.

Photo: Kausik Das/UNDP Bangladesh

She feels that her neighbours now respect her family for improving their quality of life. Through her experience she found that a hygienic latrine glitters more brightly than a silver bracelet.

Kausik Das, UNDP Bangladesh, e-mail

Tags: advocacy, hygiene promotion, school sanitation, south asia