My name is Pannerselvam and I live with my wife Maheswari in Pullapuram village of Lalgudi block. My family is poor and depends on my daily wages for living. During our first child’s birth, my wife became numb on one side of her body. Because of her disability, she cannot go alone to attend nature’s call or bathe.
The responsibility for fetching our drinking water fell on me. I had to walk for a long distance to get a meager portion of the available water. This was my situation, until Water.org and Gramalaya came to our village.
Initially, in the village meeting when Gramalaya talked about the loans they are providing for household water connections and toilets – with low interest – I couldn’t believe me ears. Later, when I met with the Gramalaya field staff, they told me how this was possible. I would put down an initial investment, and the drinking water connection would be Rs. 4645.2 (approximately USD$100) with very affordable monthly installments.
First, I took out a loan for this water connection, which I paid to the local committee Association for Water Sanitation and Hygiene (AWASH). Now, drinking water is in my house! Even my wife is able to fetch and store water at home with minimum discomfort in spite of her disability.
The second step was a toilet for our home. Gramalaya helped my wife to become a member of a Joint Liability Group (JLG) of Guardian Microfinance Institution to acquire a loan. I used to have to assist my wife in going to the community toilet. But now, with our household toilet, she can go alone with any assistance.
At last! I am now able to breathe free from the long dreadful treks to fetch water and we have a private place for my wife to attend to nature’s call.
*This project made possible by support from PepsiCo Foundation.
This story is part of our Giving Thanks: Story of the Day series that will run through the end of 2009. There are countless reasons to celebrate clean water and we want to bring you some of the first-hand accounts of its life-saving, life-changing impact for those we serve around the globe. We invite you to join us and give thanks, give water, give life.
