An elder, living alone in a small compound in Kiyinda meant facing challenges that grew more difficult with each passing year. He cared for himself as best he could, but one problem troubled him deeply each and every day was that he had no latrine of his own. For years, he had relied on the kindness of neighbors who allowed her to use their facilities, but as his legs grew weaker and his vision dimmed, making the walk to their compounds became increasingly difficult and sometimes dangerous. During the rainy season, he would wait anxiously for hours, hoping the rains would pause long enough for him to make the journey, and at night, he simply could not go at all.

When our outreach team first visited him during a routine check on elderly community members, he welcomed us warmly into his home but hesitated when we asked about latrine situation. With visible embarrassment, he explained that he had none, and that this simple lack had become the greatest struggle of his daily existence. He showed us where she had attempted to dig a pit herself years ago, but age and failing strength had forced him to abandon the effort before completion. Our team listened quietly, then assured him that this was a problem we could help solve.

Within weeks, we returned to the home with materials and workers. We constructed a proper, sturdy latrine with a door he could easily open, a seat at the right height for his aging joints, and walls that provided privacy and protection from the elements. When we showed her the finished facility, he was filled with joy. He gripped our hands and spoke words we will never forget: “Now I can sleep through the night without fear. Now I can stay in my own home with dignity. God sent you to me.” For this elderly man, this simple structure meant more than convenience it meant he could continue living independently in the home he loved, without depending on others for his most basic needs. It meant his final years would be lived with the dignity every human being deserves.