Bright days ahead for Afroza's family

For many years, Afroza’s days were defined by her family’s need for water. Of all her responsibilities that include cleaning fish to earn income, preparing meals for her family, housework, and caring for her children, the hardest part of her routine was the time and energy she spent collecting water.

Each morning, she would leave her children behind and walk to collect water, carrying heavy pots back home. Afroza explained that the journey often left her exhausted and aching, “It was tiring. I had to bring water from a distant place. It was very difficult.” And even after her journey to fill one or two vessels of water, her family needed more. “I could not meet our needs for drinking, cooking, bathing, with only one vessel of water. We needed 5-6 vessels every day. Because I had to bring the water from far away, it was a very laborious task.”

The burden weighed heavily on Afroza, but the alternative was unthinkable. Water was essential, and without it, her family couldn’t survive. Yet, with every step she took on her journey to collect water, she hoped for a different life—a life where water was not a source of struggle but something that is accessible and safe.

Finally, a new day was on the horizon. Afroza’s hope became a reality when she learned about a loan program through TMSS, one of Water.org’s local financial partners. TMSS visited her community to discuss with the residents various loan options for improving their homes and businesses. As a result of our partnership with the lender, one of those loan options was for safe water or sanitation solutions. Finally, Afroza had a way of giving family safe water at home.

With a small loan Afroza and her husband took through TMSS, they were able to have a tube well installed on their property. The impact was immediate and life changing. No longer did Afroza have to worry about leaving her children unattended while she walked for water. No longer did she have to endure the physical toll of carrying heavy vessels. Now, safe water is just steps away.

The life change reached beyond Afroza’s family. Women in her community, who had also struggled with a lack of safe water at home, no longer had to make that journey. Many of them also financed safe water solutions and for those who could not, Afroza shares water from her well with their families. “Everyone is happy,” she shared, reflecting on how access to safe water has transformed their lives.

For Afroza, water is more than just a necessity—it is health, and it is freedom. With every drop of safe water drawn from her well, she is reminded that new days full of hope and possibility are ahead.