How a small loan created lasting change for Nur's family
In the vibrant community of Manyar Rejo in East Java, Indonesia, Nur juggles multiple income streams to support her family’s livelihood. As a skilled bag craftsman, seller of refreshing iced boba drinks, and occasional travel guide, she helps provide for her family of five. Her husband, Ahmad, works alongside Nur, while their children, 20, 16, and 8 years old, bring energy and purpose to their home.
Ahmad and Nur are proud of the fact that they can now send their three children to school, covering the expenses of uniforms and supplies
For years, water was a constant strain for Nur. Though her home had a well, pumping water manually was difficult and the availability of it was infrequent. Nur and her husband often relied on trucked-in tanks of water that were costly. "I used to buy 5,000 liters for 80,000 rupiah per tank, four times a month, totaling around 400,000 rupiah," Nur recalls (this was about $24 a month). The expense for water drained their budget, leaving little for utilities, savings and emergencies. Yet, water remained essential.
"The important thing is water. Every activity needs it, from bathing to daily chores."
In urban cities in Indonesia, many households, like Nur's, rely on well water due to infrastructure gaps, an issue we're working to address
Change and hope came to Nur’s home when a representative from Water.org’s local partner, PNM Mekaar, visited Nur’s community and introduced the women in her neighborhood to the Mekaar WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) program. This is a microfinance program for women and their families in the region to get small, affordable loans for safe water and sanitation improvements.
"I was immediately interested. The kids asked for a new toilet, and this felt like a lifesaver."
After meeting with the bank office, Nur didn't hesitate to apply for a loan. "I was immediately interested. The kids asked for a new toilet, and this felt like a lifesaver." Within days Nur received her first loan of 500,000-rupiah (about $29). She used the loan to give her family a long-needed toilet. After repaying that loan, Nur took a second loan in the same amount to buy an electric water pump.
Nur sells various iced boba drinks and other snacks to neighbors and visitors to her community
Nur shared with her neighbors how affordable it was to finance her toilet and new pump hoping they too, would consider the opportunity to overcome their water and sanitation challenges as well
This solution would prevent Nur from relying on her own labor and resources to bring water to her home, and she would no longer need to pay for water to be delivered. Regarding the repayments of each loan, Nur found them manageable, "I don't feel it's hard—I pay smoothly, thank God, from my multiple incomes."
"I'm grateful and excited. The children are happy too.”
After gaining improved access to safe water and a private toilet in her home, the impact was transformative for Nur’s family. No more manual pumping or costly tanks; the pump draws water effortlessly, saving the couple 400,000 rupiah monthly. Now Nur and her husband can use those funds toward their children's education and other needs. "I'm grateful and excited. The children are happy too.”
Nur's journey mirrors the stories of families we serve across Indonesia and around the world, where small loans for safe water solutions transform their lives. Celebrating the change and improvements to her family’s health and finances, Nur shared, "I don't need to buy water anymore. We're happy as a family."
Thank you for giving to Water.org to help increase access to financing for water and sanitation, turning daily burdens into lasting hope.
