Play is a fundamental activity of childhood - to exercise the mind, body, and heart. No parent wants to see their child too sick to play. Rozina’s daughters missed out on many days of childhood play. Without access to a safe toilet at home she explained, “My daughters used to fall ill. They would not want to eat. They used to suffer from diarrhea and dysentery.” Too weak and ill to play, Rozina knew her home’s lack of a safe toilet and a source of safe water were behind the struggles her children faced daily.

“We used to go to the toilet barefoot, or at times we would wear the same shoes to go to the toilet that we would wear all day. This is how the diseases and worms would spread.” The “toilet” to which Rozina refers was the act of going outdoors where she explained pests and germs led to many of her daughters’ illnesses. And as for water to wash their hands or bathe after going outdoors, the family lacked that essential resource as well. "We used to collect and drink pond water,” she shared.

Without a solution to their water and sanitation crises, families like Rozina’s often become part of the more than 1 million people who die each year from water, sanitation, and hygiene-related diseases. These diseases could be reduced with access to safe water or sanitation at home.

Through her mother-in-law’s community group, Rozina learned of a way she could give her family access to safe water and sanitation at home and with those resources, finally give her girls the health needed to learn, grow, and play.

“My in-laws live in Bangshipur and they are part of the community groups that TMSS representatives visit. I contacted TMSS to become a member. After that, I took out a loan from them.”

Rozina knew what her family needed for their health to improve. Thanks to the support of our generous donors and partners like TMSS, Rozina could give her family an affordable, immediate solution. With a small loan, Rozina solved their water and sanitation crisis. Rozina’s monthly payments of 5,000 Taka, or about $45 USD per month, are to her both affordable and worth every Taka. She cheerfully shared, "I feel very happy about this. My children are not sick anymore. They do not complain about feeling unwell. Our lives are good now."

Now, she witnesses the invaluable difference life-saving resources like safe water and a toilet can make as she watches her daughters play, free of the illnesses that once prevented them from the health and joys of childhood.

The water and sanitation crisis is a health crisis. Globally, 2.2 billion people lack access to safe water and 3.5 billion people don’t have access to a safe toilet. Now more than ever, access to safe water is critical to the health of families around the world. Donate now to help empower more families like Rozina's family with lasting access to safe water at home.