Naomi Sanjo (Left together with Nyumba ni choo Group )

My name is Naomi Sanjo, and I serve as the Chairperson of the “Nyumba ni Choo” group in Mwasonga, Mara Region, Tanzania . Just a few years ago, accessing finance to support even the most basic sanitation needs felt like an impossible task. Many households in our village lived without proper toilets.
That changed when we were introduced to the FINISH Mondial programme , which connected us to Vision Fund Tanzania. With the help of a dedicated loan officer, we gained access not only to affordable sanitation loans but also to valuable guidance on how to construct proper toilets step-by-step.
Our first interaction with Vision Fund came with some uncertainty—we didn’t know how loans could work for something like toilet construction. But we were walked through the entire process. We were surprised and relieved to learn that the loan could be used in phases: first for digging the pit, then for building the walls, and finally for roofing and fittings. Even better, 50% of the loan could be used immediately, with the remainder paid off in manageable monthly instalments.
With our first loan, members who had previously relied on makeshift or unsafe sanitation began building permanent toilet structures. Encouraged by this progress, we applied for a second round of loans. Today, Mwasonga has been transformed—most homes in our group have access to improved toilets, and more households in the wider community are eager to follow our example.

Through this initiative, Vision Fund has shown that sanitation is not just a health issue, but a financial inclusion opportunity. Their flexible, community-based lending model—anchored in local training, group responsibility, and stepwise construction—has families in Rorya district alone. Over 200 million Tanzanian shillings( approximately Euro 66,000)  has been disbursed to more than 280 clients, allowing households to invest in their dignity, safety, and hygiene.
FINISH Mondial’s broader partnership with financial institutions like Vision Fund has enabled over 19,000 households across five districts to access sanitation loans. Of the 42,000 households who have improved their toilets through the project, nearly half used loans, showing just how crucial financial inclusion is to driving health and behavior change.
As a community leader, I’ve witnessed the ripple effects firsthand. We now receive regular inquiries from neighbors asking how they too can access sanitation loans. More than just infrastructure, this movement is about dignity, knowledge, and transformation.
Thanks to Vision Fund and FINISH Mondial, what once seemed out of reach has now become a new standard for our community. We are proud of what we’ve built—together.