My partner toilet in Afghanistan

Given the financial challenges I'm currently facing, I don't actually have any money to spare - to put it mildly. But the idea was just too cool not to do it. When a friend told me about an aid organisation's toilet partnerships, I was immediately hooked. The idea is simple: millions of people around the world have no access to clean drinking water. Streams and springs are often polluted by faeces and often also pathogens because people use the area around their villages for their emergency toilet needs. Simple latrines could provide a remedy, but many areas lack the necessary background knowledge - and often also the money for building materials.

The solution: an aid organisation carries out hygiene training in needy regions and builds simple latrines or wells with the local people as required. This is financed by donors who receive a certificate for their partner toilet as a thank you. My ship's partner toilet is located in the village of Mahzar - longitude 37.20100600 latitude 70.26327500 - in Afghanistan.

I only have to think about it and I start smiling. Because the idea is so weird and so brilliant at the same time. And because I know that in one place in the world, child mortality and disease rates are probably lower now - because I have made a small, concrete contribution to this. That makes me happy. And grateful.

For most people, donating time and money is all the more enjoyable the more tangible it is to recognise how the effort benefits others. If you want to do good and make other people and yourself happy, choose something that inspires you and that you can understand. And enjoy being able to do something good.

Do you fancy a partner loo yourself - also possible in other countries - simply contact Toilettwinning to have a look. Currently only in English!) ....or if you like, contribute to the construction costs for the composting toilet on board my ship - pictured on the right, which turns all solid waste into compost in an environmentally friendly way. And of course I will also issue you with an official partner toilet certificate.