Guest Column | November 17, 2025

Safe Sanitation For Students: 2025 World Toilet Day

By Rebekah Crozier, Water Mission

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In April 2025, 1,450 children in one African community received the opportunity to use a private, sanitary toilet at school for the first time.

Safely managed sanitation has long been a dire need in the remote community of Kalesi, Malawi. Now, Kalesi Primary School has separate latrines for girls, boys, and teachers.

Every year on November 19, Water Mission observes World Toilet Day — a day designated by the United Nations to focus on the importance of safe sanitation for all.

3.4 billion people still live without safely managed sanitation services — nearly half the world’s population. —World Health Organization

Water Mission aims to provide innovative solutions that address all aspects of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). This includes sanitation solutions that bring dignity to vulnerable men, women, and children in communities around the world.

In remote East African communities, safe and sturdy toilets are few. Wongani Msiska, Water Mission Community Development Officer, said she experienced this growing up in rural Malawi.

46% of the population in Malawi lacks access to safe sanitation.

“Most of the schools actually in Malawi—you find that there is poor infrastructure when you talk of latrines… There are maybe just a few toilets, being used by many. The option then becomes open defecation in the bush.” —Wongani Msiska, Community Development Officer, Malawi

When Water Mission began a safe water project in Kalesi, we noticed the urgent need for new latrines at Kalesi Primary School. At the time, students and teachers had one of three options: using the school’s rundown facilities that lacked privacy or cleanliness, relieving themselves outside, or waiting until the end of the school day. None of these options were safe, dignifying, or healthy.

“Before construction, when you went to the school, you could actually smell feces around,” said Msiska. “Like I said, there was evidence that there was a practice of open defecation happening.”

“We had toilets that were in poor condition, but with the coming of Water Mission, we are safer.... Challenges here are lower and lower because now, learners are visiting toilets regularly.” —Headmaster Francis Simoko, Kalesi Primary School

For the best opportunity to excel in school, students needed both access to safe, clean water and private, sustainable structures in which to relieve themselves.

Along with installing a tap stand at the school to deliver safe water, our engineering team designed latrines with separate doors for teachers, boys, and girls. Now, students have access to toilets that are sanitary and private. They no longer have to wait in long lines or relieve themselves outdoors.

The teachers report that they have seen the impact the new toilets have made on their students.

Msiska and her team also trained the students on good sanitation and hygiene practices.

“Previously, we did not have enough toilets, leading to fights over their use. However, thanks to Water Mission, we now have sufficient facilities, and we no longer have to struggle to access them. We also appreciate the availability of clean water that allows us to wash our hands properly.” —Kingsley, Grade 8 Student, Kalesi Primary School

“We didn't just stop at constructing, but as community development, we saw it necessary that we train the learners on good WASH practices and also how they can manage their latrines,” Msiska said. “So we worked with the school chiefs and sanitation teachers at the school and established a club comprising of 20 learners from lower classes to upper classes, and we have trained them on good hygiene practices.”

With both safe water and safe sanitation at their school, the children at Kalesi Primary can focus on learning, giving them a brighter hope for their futures.