08:30, 09 December 2025
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
Across the globe, 1.5 billion people live without access to basic toilet facilities, a reality that fuels disease, poverty, and lost educational opportunities.
Glen Mitchell, fundraising lead at Tearfund, explains the urgency as: “Without proper sanitation, children miss school, families fall ill, and entire communities struggle to thrive.”
One initiative tackling this challenge head-on is Toilet Twinning, a creative fundraising campaign by Tearfund that allows donors to sponsor toilets in one of the world’s regions that Tearfund operates in, while raising awareness about the importance of clean water and sanitation.
For £60, supporters receive a certificate and a photograph of a toilet built in a community in need.
The certificate is a bit of a jest for sponsors, but Glen tells Smiley News that a lot of people have been influenced to twin their own toilet after seeing the prized certificate in another’s bathroom.
Glen says the initiative is “a fun and engaging way to support sustainable sanitation solutions while encouraging donors to see the real impact of their contribution.”
A popular gift idea during Christmas, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day, Toilet Twinning goes beyond funding as the organisation partners with local communities to build long-term sanitation solutions, including training on handwashing, hygiene, and facility maintenance.
The programme is not just one that tackles the issue, but empowers communities to maintain and expand their facilities independently. Glen highlights that this sustainable approach ensures lasting benefits, transforming health and education outcomes in places where access to toilets was once a distant goal.
In the interview with Glen, he shares some of the team’s success stories such as in Malawi, a village installed a new water station alongside improved sanitation facilities.
”At a school, girls now attend classes confidently during their periods thanks to proper facilities and hygiene education, while boys are also taught to support a safe and inclusive environment.”
But with any success comes some hurdles, including accessing remote areas and sourcing materials. Glen explains: “We collaborate closely with communities and local partners to solve problems together rather than imposing solutions from afar.
”Beyond Toilet Twinning, Tearfund responds to crises worldwide, providing emergency water tanks and wash kits in conflict zones like the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
Looking forward, the importance of expanding awareness and funding is stressed: “Our goal is to reach more communities, empower them sustainably, and ensure every person has access to clean water and sanitation.”
By twinning a toilet, individuals can directly contribute to this mission, helping turn basic facilities into life-changing opportunities.
If you feel your loo deserves a pal, head over to the toilet twinning page here: https://toilettwinning.org/
And continue to stay up to date with the amazing work Tearfund does around the globe, here.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Tearfund. This is a Christian charity that partners with churches in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries. Their work tackles poverty through sustainable development, responding to disasters and challenging injustice. Learn more here.
WaterAid. This international non-profit is dedicated to making clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere. Discover their work here.
Just A Drop. This charity works at the grassroot level to support communities around the world with access to safe water, sanitation and sufficient hygiene. Find out more here.
This positive news article aligns with the UN SDG Clean Water and Sanitation.
Photo credits: Tearfund/ Toilet Twinning
