One toilet for one poor family in Pakistan

The absence of a simple toilet is a daily struggle that affects the dignity, safety, and health of many families in underserved communities. Women and children often face fear and discomfort, forced to rely on unsafe and open spaces. With the continued support of generous donors, AWARD Pakistan is changing this reality through the One Toilet, One Family initiative, bringing hope, hygiene, and safety to homes in need.

During this reporting period, low-cost household toilets were successfully constructed using locally available materials for the most deserving families. These facilities are providing immediate benefits by improving hygiene, ensuring privacy, and reducing exposure to diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid, cholera, and jaundice. Women and children, in particular, now feel safer and no longer depend on unsafe open spaces.

The impact of this intervention is already visible in the lives of beneficiary families. One such family is that of Nazia, a mother of three who had struggled for years without a toilet. Her children often had to wait until dark to relieve themselves, putting them at risk and causing constant stress. Since receiving a household toilet, Nazia reports that her children are healthier, more confident, and safe. She described the support as “a blessing that has brought safety, dignity, and peace into our home.” Another family, headed by Rashid, a daily wage laborer, now enjoys improved cleanliness and reduced illness after receiving a toilet, making daily life safer and more comfortable for his children.

Impact

Access to a simple toilet has brought profound change, restoring dignity, enhancing safety, and improving overall health. Families who once struggled with daily challenges now experience peace of mind, privacy, and a healthier living environment. Women feel safer, children are healthier, and entire households are empowered to live with greater confidence.

Way Forward

AWARD Pakistan remains committed to expanding the One Toilet, One Family initiative to reach more underserved households. With continued donor support, the project aims to scale up construction efforts, ensuring that more families gain access to safe sanitation. By doing so, we can create lasting change where dignity, health, and safety begin at home.

With the continued support of generous donors, AWARD Pakistan is working to restore dignity, health, and safety for families living without access to proper sanitation facilities. This project focuses on supporting the most deserving households, especially women, children, elderly individuals, and families living in extreme poverty, who are unable to construct toilets on their own.

During this reporting period, project funds were used to construct low-cost household toilets using locally available materials. These toilets provide privacy, protection, and improved hygiene, significantly reducing the risk of diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid, cholera, and jaundice. Having a toilet at home allows women and children to live without fear and no longer depend on unsafe open spaces.

One of the beneficiary families is that of Amina, a mother of four whose family had no toilet for many years. She shared that her daughters were forced to wait until dark to relieve themselves, causing daily stress and fear. Since receiving a household toilet, Amina reports that her children are healthier and more confident. She described the support as “a gift from God that has brought peace and respect into our lives.”

Another family supported through this project includes Saleem, a daily wage earner living with his wife and young children. Due to financial hardship, sanitation facilities were never within reach. His wife explained how difficult it was to manage hygiene, especially during illness. With the newly constructed toilet, the family now experiences improved cleanliness, fewer health issues, and greater comfort at home. Saleem expressed gratitude, saying this simple facility has lifted a heavy burden from their daily lives.

Feedback collected from other beneficiary households has been overwhelmingly positive. Women shared that they feel safer and more dignified, while parents reported reduced illness among their children. Families emphasized that access to a toilet has improved their daily routines and restored a sense of honor and security.

This project highlights how even a low-cost toilet can create a life-changing impact. With continued support, AWARD Pakistan remains committed to reaching more vulnerable families, ensuring that dignity, safety, and health begin at home. May God reward all those who make this change possible.