World Toilet Day – November 19th.

Each year, on November 19th, we celebrate World Toilet Day. Rather than attempt to describe this, I’ll let the organization introduce itself:

World Toilet Organization (WTO) is a global non-profit organization committed to improving toilet and sanitation conditions worldwide. WTO is also one of the few organizations to focus on toilets instead of water, which receives more attention and resources under the common subject of sanitation. Founded in 2001 with 15 members, it now has 151 member organizations in 53 countries working towards eliminating the toilet taboo and delivering sustainable sanitation.

WTO also declared its founding day of November 19 as “World Toilet Day” and this is now being celebrated by members all over the world. Thus increasing awareness and generating local action for better sanitation.

WTO is the organizer of the very successful series of World Toilet Summits and World Toilet Expo and Forum. To-date, 8 World Toilet Summits and 2 World Toilet Expo & Forum have been hosted in 9 different cities around the world. Each summit addresses the critical issues of toilet and sanitation from technologies, development, funding, to design, maintenance, social entrepreneurship, capacity building, research and various other related topics, creating massive media coverage and momentum.

It’s instructive to look at some of the WTO mission statement. World Toilet Organization (WTO) stands up for the 3 “WE (s)” in the theme ”We Deserve Better”.

WE Number One:

Toilets deserve better social status.  WTO has been striving to elevate the status of toilets to make  them status symbols and objects of desire.  WTO speaks on behalf of toilets “WE DESERVE BETTER SOCIAL STATUS”.

Goodness me, it’s hard to disagree with that. I do regard my personal bog at home as a significant status symbol. Doesn’t everyone? I also read email and write posts/pages from my blog while seated on my personal status symbol. I wrote this page while seated on the throne. Of course, that’s in keeping with the busy, multitasking lifestyle we all seem to live these days. So yes, our toilets should be a reflection of our position within society.

WE Number Two:

The second WE are the toilet cleaners.  WTO aims to professionalize the sanitation and restroom industry and to upgrade the skill sets of the restroom cleaners.  WTO speaks on behalf of all bog cleaners “WE DESERVE BETTER PAY, RESPECT AND PROSPECTS”.

Yup, regardless of your chosen profession, you should have stability of employment, the regard and respect of your co-workers, and be fairly compensated for the job you do. In addition, a career path should be available.

WE Number Three:

WTO speaks on behalf of 2.5 billion toilet-less people, “WE DESERVE BETTER PLACE TO DEFECATE, PROPER TOILET”. [sic]

Yes yes yes, blah blah blah, that’s certainly true. However, you need to treat your toilet with respect unlike the occupant of the portapotty you see on the left. This individual had quite obviously eaten a large amount of Burritos and Jalapenos, then washed it all down with Montejo beer and Tequila. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS UNLESS YOU CAREFULLY EXAMINE YOUR DIETARY HABITS! Don’t say you haven’t been warned.

We in the western world are very fortunate in having a clean and (for the most part) sanitary place in which to take a thoughtful, leisurely dump. If, like the hapless individual above, you make a habit out of treating your digestive system with callous disregard, then you ought to observe some basic precautions. We recommend installing proper restraints. Be prepared for something violent and unpleasant to happen, and plan accordingly….like this guy did.

Take note of the placement of not one, but two toilet plungers. We can’t stress how important redundancy is. An ample supply of (at least) two ply toilet paper, and last – but not least – a 4 point ultra safe racing harness. Instructions on how to install it can be found here (OK, these instructions concern installation in a car, but adapt them to your own toilet configuration).

There are those enlightened folks who recommend installation of a bidet, but that’s going way too far in my opinion. Then again, thinking about the occupant of the portapotty above, he’s going to need either a bidet, or an industrial grade fire extinguisher.

I have the feeling that, as usual, I’m getting a bit off-topic here. Oh well, back to the narrative.

How should I “celebrate” World Toilet Day?

I can only provide limited guidance here.

a) Raise awareness by the purchase of a WTD flag, then hang it outside your house, apartment or workplace.

b) Email all your friends, relatives, co-workers and your local political representatives informing them of how important November 19th is, and that they can do in the awareness-raising business too. Link to this page and encourage as many people as you can to link to it, and follow the useful instructions contained herein. If you have a blog, then make sure you post about it.

What about social networking? No problem dude!

Facebook? Sure – right here

Twitter? Yep, gotcha covered there too: http://twitter.com/worldtoiletday

Can I get a logo? Sure you can! Go here and grab yourself the 2010 logo

c) Eat three to four times the amount you usually do the day BEFORE and on November 19th itself. This isn’t a day for dieting! (Ed; I recommend lots of protein – red meat in other words – for optimum results)

d) Consume a lot heroic amounts of beer the night before. (Ed; for the best results of all, I recommend Guinness)

Done properly, this preparation should result in:

i) Your neighbors will know the significance of the day, and will naturally choose to celebrate the occasion too!

ii) The occurrence of an epic beer shit on the morning of November 19th.

iii) Several more dumps during the day, ( this owing to the fact that you’re stuffed to the ears with food)

This page was referenced by posts in 2008 and 2009