The Latest at Connecting Countries:

1. Dec. 8, 2013, 8:10 p.m. | By: cong | In: Announcements

   "A Twoonie for Toilets" at St Stephen Catholic School

   In early November the staff and students at St. Stephen held their first ever Toilet Run fundraiser.  All the kids, from JK to Grade 6 were asked to donate "A Twoonie for Toilets".  Teachers encouraged all the kids to do something around the house to earn the $2 donation because earning the money th...

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2. Nov. 6, 2013, 5:19 p.m. | By: cong | In: Announcements

   Toronto Argonaut Connects with TDSB

   Please click HERE to read a story about the 3rd Annual Tackles for Toilets on the Toronto District School Board Website....

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3. Sept. 16, 2013, 9:38 p.m. | By: cong | In: Announcements

   TACKLES FOR TOILETS - OCTOBER 4, 2013 - ROGERS CENTRE

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Sanitation Has Been Called "The Silent Emergency"

It has earned this unlikely title because even though diseases related to unsanitary conditions kill more children than HIV and Malaria combined, few people want to talk about the subject.

Connecting Countries Adopt-a-School became focused on the inadequate sanitation facilities in Kenyan primary schools simply by chance. In 2005 a Kenyan runner visiting Hamilton, Ontario Canada struck up a conversation with a local teacher that resulted in addresses being exchanged. During the 2005-2006 school year letters arrived at Glen Brae Middle School in Hamilton Ontario hand written by primary students attending schools in Ol Joro Orok, Central Kenya; the home area of the runner.

The Kenyan students surprisingly did not ask for new shoes, computers or clothing. Instead they asked for new toilets:

“We use latrines which even made us to have different kinds of diseases… we lost one of our school pupils who was ill because of going to such bad latrines.”

- Student, Kirima-Ngai Primary School, Ol Joro'orok, Kenya

“Our school has over 600 students we need about 16 more toilets.”

- Student, Madaraka Primary School, Ol Joro'orok, Kenya

Our Mandate:

To relieve poverty and advance education in developing countries by carrying on activities that improve school facilities and its sanitation; and by providing teaching supplies and educational aids to improve the learning process.

Currently Connecting Countries Adopt-a-School directs 4 interrelated programs:

• Pen Pal Letter Writing - Linking Canadian & Kenyan students
• Larine Building Projects - Improving sanitation in Kenyan schools
• Clean Hands - Enhancing personal hygiene
• Continuing Support - Providing classroom supplies

Four ways a toilet can change a child's life….

1. They can stay in school! When no separate sanitation facilities exist for boys and especially for maturing girls, embarrassment and anxiety result; school can be seen as a place to avoid – a safe and private toilet can change this!
2. They'll have better health! Withholding defecation or urination causes extreme discomfort, urinary tract infections and other gastro-intestinal problems – a safe and private toilet can change this!
3. They won't have to worry about their safety! When their only option is to relieve themselves in the open or under the cover of darkness they are more vulnerable to wild animal attack, poisonous insects and bodily assault – a safe and private toilet can change this!
4. They'll have the dignity they deserve! Without proper sanitation facilities children have no privacy, no sense of security, their self-respect is shaken - a safe and private toilet can change this!