The Ricoh Arena and Coventry City have twinned the club’s boardroom toilets at the multi-purpose venue with a school toilet block in Burundi.

It is part of the World’s First Toilet Twinning project which is being run by Leamington-based charity Cord to transform the lives of people who have returned to Burundi after their country’s civil war.

A framed photo of School Latrine Block Number Six in Giharo, Rutana Province which will provide sanitation for over 500 children has been placed in the gent’s of the club boardroom.

Daniel Gidney, chief executive of the Ricoh Arena, said this was a fun scheme with a serious message.

“This is an idea that is literally saving lives,” he said. “Burundian people are starting to return to their country having sought sanctuary in refugee camps in Tanzania for the last 15 years.

“Land has been desecrated and infrastructure severely damaged and building toilet blocks in schools are part of the rebuilding process.

“This twinning will make a real difference and I would encourage other organisations in the region to get involved.”

Wishes from Cord teams
around the world:

In 2009 Cord employed 900 international, national and refugee staff across the globe in Cambodia, Northern Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Chad and here in the UK.  Building sustainable peace is never easy; Cord’s long term commitment to that goal remains undiminished as we support thousands of people in rebuilding their community after the devastation of war and conflict.

Bechir Adam Daoud Head of Cord’s Literacy Programme Gaga Camp, Chad:

‘My hope for all of us in the Sudanese refugee community is that next year will bring peace to Darfur and that we can start to return home. We need to learn how to develop more and become less reliant on outside help.’

Louise Lloyd Jarvis Programme Manager Gaga Camp, Chad:

‘Fighting alone will not solve the problem in Darfur.  Those people who go to school and get an education are the ones who will solve the problem.  Fighting with guns; that will not solve it, even in a hundred years.’ Hedjewa Adam a rebel soldier with the Sudan Liberation Movement

My wish would be that more people understand this, act upon it and lay down their arms. 
My prayer is that God is raising up 'Peacemakers' here and it is these men and women who lead the community into the next decade, not the ones who hold the guns.'

Kit Lawry Supporter Relations, UK:

'My wish is that people in the developed world realize how important peace is, for all of us.'

James Griffin Security & Logistics Manager, Chad:

'Against the backdrop of all the problems within Chad – and in Darfur where these children have fled from, the amazing thing is that the children in the camps are still children, and maintain that playfulness and innocence which only they can have. May they continue to be my biggest inspiration.

I am extremely lucky to find great people here who I really enjoy working with and trust.  My wish is that this will continue and that the strain of working in Chad will not hinder us growing as a team.'

Serge Ntabikiyoboka Country Director, Burundi:

'Our main wish is to have peace consolidated in the country after the planned elections in 2010. There are real signs of violence at the moment, and the situation may become worse during this period.

Our second wish is to see our programme continuing to expand- and that everyone in the Cord Burundi team enjoys good health.'

Dennis Bailey Country Director, Northern Uganda:

'My wish for 2010 echoes the short prayer said by all members of the African Union as they gather in session:
God bless Africa,
Guard her people,
Guide her leaders and
Grant her peace.'

Angie Archer, Supporter Relations, UK:

‘Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.’

Kerry Bosworth Finance Director, UK:

'My peace wish is that the current child population in the camps in Chad will celebrate adulthood in their own home country.''

The  cleaning industry is being urged to sign up to the first global Toilet Twinning Campaign by linking Britain’s public loos with their very own ‘twin’ latrine deep in the African bush.

There was plenty of enthusiasm for the innovative idea at the Annual Loo of the Year Awards, where the five star toilet award winners saw the potential for promoting the cause in their ladies and gents facilities. Celebrity guest and Master magician Paul Daniels lent his support by incorporating the idea into his act at the ceremony, held at the National Motor Cycle Museum.

‘To engage with Toilet Twinning has to be a no brainer for anyone involved in the cleaning industry,’ said Cord Director Richard Dickson. ‘We have such wonderful public facilities in this country and I would urge everyone to support us and make a real difference to the lives of people who have arrived home with literally nothing.’

The event attracted more than 300 delegates from the UK’s railways, hotels, department stores, major supermarket and food outlet chains, holiday camps, caravan parks ,tourist attractions and council run public conveniences.

So far some 940 individuals, schools, cathedrals, businesses, organisations and major venues from around the globe have twinned their toilets, raising over £56,000 for Cord’s programme and providing a loo for 5,640 people.