For Anisah, safe water means comfort and health
In a bustling village in Indonesia’s Gresik Regency, Anisah starts each day early, preparing traditional homemade noodles and fried snacks to sell from her home. Her husband works as a fertilizer delivery driver, their 13‑year‑old daughter attends junior high school. Anisah also cares for her 95‑year‑old mother who lives with the family.
Anisah's snack and food sales contribute largely to her family's household income
Life for Anisah’s family wasn’t always this steady and productive. Before getting a safe water solution at home, the family shared a 5,000‑liter water tank with a neighbor, paying 150,000 rupiah (about $9 a month) to fill it. The expense and the quality of the water posed a significant strain on the family’s health and income. “We had no well and no choice but to buy what we needed,” she says.
“If there was no water, it was messy and hard—frustrating, like having nothing at all."
Hoping for relief, the family used their savings to connect to the local water utility (PDAM). The connection cost 1.25 million rupiah (about $76), but the quality of the water that arrived was not an improvement. It was cloudy and caused skin rashes. Anisah’s daughter developed itchy bumps from bathing, and caring for her elderly mother became even more difficult for Anisah. “If there was no water, it was messy and hard—frustrating, like having nothing at all,” she recalls.
One of the items Anisah makes and sells is lontong sayur, a vegetable rice cake served in a dish with broth
Determined to find a lasting, affordable, safe water solution, Anisah joined the PNM Mekaar WASH program, a local microfinance partner to Water.org that helps women and their families access affordable safe water and sanitation improvements. Through the program, Anisah financed 500,000 rupiah (about $29) toward a water reservoir tank with a filter costing 750,000 rupiah. She and her husband covered the remaining amount with savings. With bi‑weekly payments of 20,000 rupiah ($1.20), the loan will soon be fully repaid.
“Now, I feel calm. It’s comforting knowing safe water is always there for my mom and my family.”
The impact of this solution was immediate. Anisah’s daughter’s skin rashes did not return, and caring for her mother is manageable and clean. “Now, I feel calm. It’s comforting knowing safe water is always there for my mom and my family.”
Anisah is passionate about caring for her 95 year old mother and wants her to have a comfortable life
"I installed this water reservoir especially for my mother so that water is always there when she needs it."
Anisah’s experience reflects the broader change made possible through something we call WaterCredit, an affordable financial solution that unlocks health, hope, and opportunity. She shared that, for her family, the opportunity to finance a long-term safe water solution means comfort, health, and productive days. “I’m willing to borrow and repay because water is precious for my family. It brings comfort we all deserve." Learn more about why, for millions of families in need of safe water or sanitation, like Anisah's family, financing works.
