How Francisco overcame his water crisis in an unpredictable environment
Francisco's home is in the semiarid region of Ceará, an area prone to weather and water-related challenges.
In the semiarid region of Ceará, Northeast Brazil, where life revolves around the unpredictability of rain, Francisco and his family have seen their share of weather and water-related challenges. But amidst the harsh conditions, one thing has profoundly changed their lives: lasting access to safe water at home.
“The water wasn’t safe, it was dirty.” - Francisco
Francisco, a proud father of three and grandfather to a baby boy, has spent his entire life farming the land. From a young age, he learned the rhythms of farming, starting alongside his father and eventually working full-time on a plantation. In the semiarid climate, where droughts are frequent and water scarcity is a constant threat, Francisco had a keen understanding of how important water is to life and to ensuring a stable income for his family. Francisco spent hours every day under the sun either working on the plantation or walking to collect water for his family from a pond. “The water wasn’t safe, it was dirty.”
Francisco's loan manager at Agroamigo Banco do Nordeste, also named Francisco, helped him get the financing needed for a water solution.
Our local financial partners in Brazil, Agroamigo Banco do Nordeste, are dedicated to improving water access in remote farming communities through small, affordable loans. Everything changed when they introduced Francisco's village to the option of financing safe water or sanitation solutions for their homes. Francisco did not hesitate to attend the bank’s meeting. He knew it could mean an immediate, reliable source of safe water for his farm and his family that he could finally afford. “I thought, man, I’m gonna be there because it’s not easy to live this way.”
Francisco's family is thankful to now have a place to shower.
The water tap in the family's kitchen enables them to prepare safe, healthy meals and to wash their produce and dishes.
The impact of Francisco's decision to attend the meeting hosted by Agroamigo changed his family’s lives. Now they have a safe water storage tank and access to safe water throughout their property; showers, sinks, and taps for drinking water. Francisco and his family are grateful for their water and they are determined to ensure the sustainability of these solutions. Francisco shared, “We suffered to get water…so now we have to take care of it.”
“I will be able to give him a different life." - Francisco
Francisco shares his home and safe water solution with his entire family. Here, he stands proudly with his son and his grandson.
Reflecting on his journey to give his family water at home, Francisco expressed the peace of mind he now has for their well-being, “This project was great for me, I went for it and it worked out. We pay the bank, and we get something back…the water.” And “the water” is why today Francisco gets emotional when he thinks about how his children and their children will no longer need to go through what he and his wife went through, "We went through ugly things!" And thinking of his grandson, Francisco smiles knowing, “I will be able to give him a different life.”
For millions of people around the world, access to funds stands between them and safe water and sanitation in their homes. It is for those families, like Francisco’s family, that we do what we do, every day. Learn more about the smart solutions we created to break down the barriers between people in need and access to safe water and sanitation.
