At Thankyou, we believe every person has equal value and the right to a life free from poverty.

I find the thought of global poverty pretty confronting.

It is not okay that 844 million people around the world don’t have access to safe water and 2.4 billion people don’t have access to safe toilets!

With daily demands, life challenges and seemingly endless to-do lists, it can be easy to forget there’s one billion people still living in some really challenging circumstances without basic human rights.

Daniel (co-founder at Thankyou) often talks about scheduling in a daily reminder of your WHY, your purpose. For me, I look around our office at the portraits of people we’ve met from Zimbabwe to Cambodia to Nepal and I'm reminded of my why.

She’s raised her two kiddos solo, has overcome hardship and is smashing perceptions on what work is "suitable" for women.

Lorrene used to work random jobs like washing her neighbours’ clothes, maintaining gardens and selling vegetables to get by and provide for her family. She told us "Life was hard for me" BUT with YOUR help, our project partner CARE, together with the community, Lorrene was able to be empowered with an opportunity of a lifetime...

"I had the opportunity to become a latrine builder. I saw it as a window of opportunity that would assist my livelihood. Since I had no other person who could help, I realised that as a builder I would be able to take care of myself and my family"

Not only does Lorrene now have a steady source of income but she’s also helping her community and surrounding communities become ODF (Open Defecation Free) which is a BIG DEAL!

"We perceived the job as a hard trade only fit for men, but because now we are into it, we no longer view any job as one for men or for women. Society used to look down upon us as women, men thought that we were unable to challenge their trades. Now men are realizing that we can also effectively work and do these male dominated jobs. Women can do everything."

“I can now pay for school fees and buy food for the family.”

Reading through Lorrene’s story, I could tell there was such a sense of hope and optimism for her future.

Thank YOU for being a part of making this happen!

Next up, was Debra’s* story

Debra is essentially famous at Thankyou. We always talk about her with such deep reverence, and her story has touched the hearts of many within our team.

So much so that Natanya, our Customer Experience Lead, said Debra’s story played a significant part in her decision to pursue a career at Thankyou. With a background in Occupational Therapy and a passion for global health intervention programs, Natanya was incredibly moved by Debra's story and how the school's new toilet enabled her to have the same opportunities as her school friends.

Debra is a 12 year old mathematics whiz living in Chivi, Zimbabwe who has a passion for math because it’s “easy” (Alright Debra, maybe you could teach me a thing or two).

Debra lives with a disability that restricts her movement. Due to a lack of access to medical experts, Debra and her family don’t have an exact diagnosis for her condition, but they do know it has been developing since birth.

Debra shared with us that using the toilets at school was the thing she hated the most “I used to feel energy going out of my body” BUT this is not the end of Debra’s story!

In partnership with CARE Zimbabwe and YOUR support, we funded the build of disability accessible toilets at Debra’s school (Rutedze Primary School)

“The day that I first got into the toilet was the happiest day in my life.”

Debra's whole face lights up as she talks about how things have changed for her since the new toilets were built. She is now able to dream of a brighter future and chase after her dream of being a teacher.

Thanks to you, Debra’s dignity was restored and her day-to-day physical and emotional challenges were removed.

It still blows my mind that a simple decision in a supermarket aisle here in Australia and New Zealand, on what type of hand or body wash, or nappy brand to buy can radically change another person’s life on the other side of the world.

We often talk at Thankyou about producing your life’s best work. I’m not far into this whole life journey but it has honestly been an honour to be able to share the story of these two incredible women. They’ve touched my heart and their legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.