The best remedy for Kasiyammal’s knee pain; a toilet at home
At morning 6’o clock, I embarked on my field visit to Musiri town from Trichy city, Tamil Nadu. Intended to meet Kasiyammal, the leader of a JLG, I reached Thandalai village after 40 minutes of a bike ride from Musiri town. Since, the village Panchayat has just began to work on a new project of tree plantation under NREGA scheme, therefore she had gone to enroll herself for the work. It was held at the entrance of the village. Informed by her daughter-in-law, I went to meet her at the work place itself. When I reached there, Kasiyammal, 45, was peeling off the soft barks of young branches. After taking the permission from NREGA supervisor, I called her for discussion.
Around a year ago, she had availed a microloan to construct a toilet at her home and the construction had been completed within a month of receiving the loan amount. Kasiyammal, a hardworking and resolute woman lives with her son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. Her husband had expired in a road accident a few years back. And the only remained source of income for her family was that of her son’s who is a lorry driver. Considering the household conditions, she works as a NREGA laborer. Informing her daily routine of work she said, “I work here for morning 7’o clock to 4’o clock in the evening and earn Rs. 120 per day. I manage to do it as the work is just for 15 days in a month.” Informing about her family she said, “My granddaughter studies in 4th standard of village’s Government Primary School and my grandson is just four years old. My daughter-in-law takes care of the home.” Kasiyammal’s son transports construction materials around four sates and therefore, most of the time, he remains outside the city.
Remembering past days of open defecation, she said, “Since last three years, I’ve been suffering from severe knee pain. And beginning two years were very hard to manage as I had to crawl one long kilometer with that pain every morning.” Her daughter-in-law used to accompany her every time. It was then her son decided to build a toilet at home. Informed by her neighbors, she decided to avail a microloan of Rs. 10,000. She said, “Since, the underground water level of my village is just a few feet, we have to install a septic tank model of toilet.” The total amount spent to construct that toilet was Rs. 60,000. Informing about the source rest Rs. 50,000 utilized, she said, “I’ve taken another loan from one of my neighbor at a monthly interest of Rs. 3 only.” After three month of obtaining the loan amount, the toilet construction was completed.
Kasiyammal supported her knee with one hand and said, “Though I’ve been on constant medication for my knee pain, yet this toilet has helped me no less than a major medicine.” Now, neither she has to crawl a distance nor has to suffer from acute pain. The practice of sanitation has become easy, comfortable, healthy and private. She said, “My daughter-in-law feels proud to have toilet at home among other women of the village.” With help of this toilet, she could save time that she utilizes in other household works.
Correction: Due to a data entry error by our field partner, the wrong group leader identity was uploaded at the time of funding the loan on our website. We are working closely with our field partner to eliminate such errors in the future. The error is deeply regretted.
