CARING kids are taking part of a twinning scheme with a difference.

Youngsters from St Dominic's Primary, in Airdrie, are supporting the Toilet Twinning charity project, which gives safe and hygienic toilets to children in developing countries.

The North Lanarkshire school is one of the first in Scot-land to take part in the scheme.

Head teacher Teresa Verrecchia said: "One of our teachers, Trish Walker, spotted an advert about the project and thought it would be a good idea for the school to become involved.

"She decided that instead of sending Christmas cards she'd give money to the Toilet Twinning project towards the cost of a new toilet in Ashkar, Bangladesh.

"The reaction of the pupils has been incredible - so much so that we've decided to develop this further and have adopted it as our Global Citizenship Project for the year ahead.

"Our eco group chose to put money from their fundraising activities towards a toilet block in Ethiopia and we are hoping to continue raising money throughout the year for another project.

"Our pupils enjoy finding out about the geography, culture and history of other countries."

According to Toilet Twinn-ing, 40% of the world's population does not have somewhere safe, clean and hygienic to go to the loo.

The impact of this means that nearly one in five child deaths each year is due to diarrhoea.

Toilet Twinning enables people living in poor commun-ities to have clean water, a decent toilet, and to learn about hygiene.

Hannahlee Officer, a P7 pupil, said: "I think it is a great idea that they are giving people the right to have a toilet because it is shocking to me that 40% of people in this world don't have toilets and makes me feel lucky because I have a toilet and they don't.

"I think it is diabolical that a lot of people get bitten by venomous creatures and have no privacy.

"I am proud and happy that St Dominic's is supporting this charity."

Aidan McCarthy, also in P7, added: "Toilet twinning is interesting because you find out about all the countries that don't have toilets and it is disgraceful that they don't have any privacy and disease spreads.

"I was so shocked when I found out that 40% of people don't have a toilet.

"I am glad the teacher taught us about toilet twinning."

catriona.stewart@eveningtimes.co.uk