Never too old to change

The ground was slippery as she walked carefully under the rain to the corner of the yard. There stood an outdoor toilet, which consisted of just two wood bars crossing over a shallow hole without a roof or anything to cover.

“I have no money,” Diu explained why she didn’t make a proper toilet.

Le Thi Diu, the 85-year-old living lonely in a small house in Tra Loc hamlet, Hai Xuan commune, Quang Tri province, had used this toilet every day before the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach was introduced to her hometown.

In the doubt of other people in the commune, Diu registered to make a toilet herself. “I can do what other people can,” confidently said Diu.

At such age, Diu surprised many people as she not only took time to make her appearance but also actively participated in all activities held by World Vision Vietnam’s Hai Lang Area Development Program to improve the sanitation of her commune.

With the support of World Vision and local authority, her house has now been equipped with a small but comfortable hygienic toilet.

“Previously, it was so hard for me to go to the yard’s corner, especially when it rained,” Diu recalls, “But now I don’t have to worry about either the rain or the sunlight. Also, it helps to keep the environment clean and prevent diseases for kids and other villagers. That’s a big save of money when you don’t need to visit hospital too often. I am really grateful to World Vision.”

Written by Le Thi Yen, World Vision’s commune facilitator in Hai Lang ADP.