Why small loans?

People are already paying for water

People living in poverty are already paying up to 15% of their income on temporary access to often unsafe water. When given the opportunity to pay for water and sanitation improvements with loans, families opt to finance long-term solutions versus struggle day-to-day to find that next liter of water.

Small loans put people in control of their solutions

When you put the power into the hands of the people in need, the solution is more likely to succeed and last because they get to select what is best for their families – whether that's a rainwater harvesting system, a well pump, a household water connection, or another local solution.

Small loans help keep the work local

When someone takes out a small loan, they support their local financial institution and use local contractors/resources to do the work, all supporting the economy in their own communities.

Repaid loans can help other families

When the loans are repaid – and 99% are – our local partner banks can lend those funds to other families in need, which allows the solution to scale and last.

This approach makes your dollar go further

With this solution, we can reach more people, faster and more efficiently. In fact, every $1 donated to Water.org helps mobilize $21 for water and sanitation improvements.

Simple takeaway:
We don't give water, we help remove the financial barriers that stand between people and safe water.

By empowering people to invest in their own solutions, we help create change that lasts.