From where we work in India, Jeyalakshmi shared how thankful she is to have taken a small, affordable loan to give her family a toilet at home—especially now during the COVID-19 pandemic. She explained, “When the Coronavirus appeared I realized even more the importance of having a toilet.”

Jeyalakshmi is a leader in her local self-help group. As a part of this group, she was able to secure a loan to build her home as shelter for her family was her first priority. Three months after moving in, Jeyalakshmi decided to take out another loan to construct a toilet on her property. She is so thankful she did saying, “Thankfully, my whole family is able to stay home now and use the toilet here.”

In a country where 678 million people lack access to sanitation, shared community facilities or open fields are the main options. Under government lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jeyalakshmi’s family could not leave home. And, even when the orders began lifting, it was still a health risk to venture out to use the restroom.

Jeyalakshmi’s story is made possible by generous donors and the work of Water.org, demonstrating the life-saving benefits of affordable access to safe water and sanitation solutions.

Read more here about how access to safe water and sanitation help prevent the spread of diseases and create health and hope for tomorrow.