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I've spent the past week on the road north of Bamako around Kita, Segou and Mopti. It's been an interesting trip so far. Filming emergency or humanitarian and development projects has its moments. You could find yourself observing clearance of landmines; flying low over vast tracts of spectacular jungle; meeting people with incredible stories to tell; or, as I'm faced with on this assignment in Mali, trying to figure out how to best film projects involving clean water but also... shit, poo, faeces, caca, excrement... Whatever you want to call it, something that no one likes talking about.

In development circles you'll often hear the acronym WASH which refers to water, sanitation and hygiene. And water projects usually shine in the media spotlight. Everyone understands the need for clean water. People feel good about clean water. But sanitation is another matter. And I must admit I've seen more than my fair share of open sewers or filthy toilets and latrines around the world. Some unspeakable places come to mind (and sadly too many in schools I might add) that have required mustering all of my rather feeble courage to simply poke my head around the corner long enough to verify what people tell me is well... just plain wrong and needs fixing.

So it was somewhat with raised eyebrows that I read about a programme here in Mali that introduced a new development acronym to me - CLTS, or in development parlance, "community led total sanitation". This also involves another acronym - OD, standing for open defecation. Are you still with me? According to figures from WHO and UNICEF, 2.6 billion people, or 39 per cent of the world’s population, live without access to improved sanitation. Something to think about next time you go to the toilet, and wash your hands. Guardian Global Health blogger, Sarah Boseley, has a good post on progress towards achieving water and sanitation MDG's too.

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