When the Government of India proudly declared the nation ’Open Defecation Free (ODF)’, the management of Sabrimala Microfinance in Odisha celebrated the achievement like the rest of the country. It was a historic milestone, a sign of progress, and a matter of pride. But soon after, a proposal landed on their table that made them pause:

“Why should we introduce WASH loans? If toilets have already been built everywhere, who will need them now?”

This was the honest question from Sabrimala’s leadership team when the local FINISH Mondial team suggested the idea of adding Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) loans to their product portfolio.

At first glance, their doubt made sense. To them, WASH loans seemed redundant in a country where the major toilet construction drive had already taken place. They feared the product would fail and clients would not show interest.

It was in this atmosphere of hesitation that Arnapurna Parida, the State Lead for FINISH Mondial in Odisha, stepped in.

Arnapurna knew that convincing Sabrimala’s management would not be easy. But she also knew something they had not fully seen yet—the reality on the ground.

In one of her first conversations with the management team, she patiently explained:

“WASH loans are not just for new toilet construction. Think of the thousands of families who already have toilets, but face challenges in using or maintaining them. What happens when a toilet pan breaks, when a pit fills up, or when repairs are needed after a cyclone? What about families that want to upgrade their facilities, like adding a water storage tank, making toilets more accessible for pregnant women, elderly, or persons with disabilities?”

She reminded them that Odisha’s coastal belt faces severe climatic events almost every year. Cyclones like cyclone Fani in 2019 had left deep scars. Toilets and homes were destroyed, leaving families vulnerable. In such circumstances, a simple loan for repair or rebuilding could mean dignity and safety for entire households.

Slowly, the leadership began to listen.

From Skepticism to Exploration

Even after hearing her, the management did not say yes immediately. Instead, they proposed a cautious first step.

“Train our staff. Let our team understand this first. If they believe in it, we will reconsider.”

It was a wise move, and Arnapurna welcomed it. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in 2024 between Sabrimala Microfinance and FINISH Mondial to provide capacity-building training to the staff.

The year that followed was a journey of transformation—not just for the microfinance institution, but for the hundreds of families they ultimately served.

Training That Changed Perspectives

The first round of trainings brought together Sabrimala’s field officers, loan officers, and managers. Many of them, like their senior management, were skeptical. During the sessions, they raised practical questions:

• “Why would clients take a loan for something they already have?”
• “Is it ethical to give loans for toilets when the government has already given subsidies?”
• “Will people even pay back for sanitation-related loans?”

Arnapurna and the FINISH team didn’t brush these concerns aside. Instead, they used exposure visits, case studies, and real-life stories to provide answers.

Field officers visited villages where families were struggling with broken toilets, leaking soak pits, or the absence of water connections. They saw how elderly people avoided using toilets because the structures were not disability-friendly, and how young mothers longed for facilities that could ensure safety and hygiene for their children.

One field officer, after such a visit, admitted:

“I thought toilets were a done deal. But now I see—sanitation is not a one-time job. People need support to maintain it, improve it, and make it climate-resilient.”

This change of heart among field officers was the turning point.

Listening to the Community

Armed with new understanding, the loan officers began discussing the idea of WASH loans with clients. To their surprise, the response was far more positive than expected.

In one village, a farmer said: “I don’t need a new toilet. But if I could get a loan to add a water tank, my family’s life would be so much easier.”

A mother of two shared: “During the cyclone, our toilet walls collapsed. We rebuilt our home first, but now we want to fix the toilet. A loan could help us.”

An elderly man added: “I struggle to squat. If I could change the design of my toilet, I would regain my dignity.”

These real voices gave Sabrimala’s staff the confidence they had been missing.

The Launch of WASH Loans

By early 2025, after a year of capacity building, exposure, and dialogue, Sabrimala Microfinance made a bold decision: they officially integrated WASH products into their financial portfolio.

It was not just a new loan product—it was a recognition that sanitation and water needs continue long after the first toilet is built.

The leadership framed it as a ‘strategic expansion‘, aligning with both business growth and social impact.

What happened next exceeded everyone’s expectations.

Within the first year of launch, over 3,000 WASH loans were facilitated. Families used them for diverse needs—repairing cyclone-damaged toilets, installing water tanks, upgrading toilets for elderly or disabled members, and making existing facilities more resilient.

The numbers spoke loudly: even in an ODF-declared state, the demand for sanitation and hygiene support was strong and real.

For Sabrimala, it was also a business success. The loans performed well, repayment rates remained steady, and the institution gained a reputation for addressing practical community needs.

What began as a doubt—“Who will take WASH loans after ODF?”—ended in a powerful realization: sanitation needs to evolve, and so must financial services.

Thanks to the persistence of leaders like Arnapurna Parida, the openness of Sabrimala Microfinance’s management, and the courage of communities willing to embrace new solutions, thousands of families in Odisha now live with not only improved toilets but also dignity, safety, and resilience.

The story of Sabrimala is not just about loans or toilets. It is about seeing beyond what is visible, listening to what people truly need, and turning hesitation into hope.