In rural India, the lack of toilets creates a big, stinking problem. It leads to poor quality water, one of the leading causes of disease in India, and has a disproportionately negative effect on women. Joe Madiath introduces a program to help villagers help themselves, by building clean, protected water and sanitation systems and requiring everyone in the village to collaborate -- with significant benefits that ripple across health, education and even government.

Better toilets, better life

Unsafe sanitation causes 80 percent of disease in rural India, where 70 percent of people defecate outdoors and women shoulder the burden of fetching water. By building toilets, showers, and 24-hour water supply in over 1,200 villages, a community-driven approach has slashed waterborne illness by 82 percent. This movement goes beyond infrastructure, restoring dignity and opportunity, especially for women and the poorest families. Collective action transforms health, boosts school attendance, and gives villagers real control over their future.