Lakshmina Devi is a living testament to unwavering courage, turning her struggles into tools to face life head-on. Born into a family of farm laborers, Lakshmina (the youngest among four sisters and three brothers) couldn’t afford to attend school due to poverty. However, her sharp intellect and curiosity led her to learn reading and writing at home.

At the age of eight, Lakshmina, born into a poor laborer family, was married off and moved to her husband’s home after 15 years. Life was relatively stable, but her husband fell ill and became bedridden, leaving Lakshmina responsible for managing the household and caring for their two children. Unsure of what to do, Lakshmina found inspiration from her mother’s struggles and decided to take matters into her own hands.

With no particular skill, Lakshmina began working as a laborer in construction, earning a meager income of 35 rupees per day. However, driven by her desire to support her family and provide them with a better life, Lakshmina switched to working in construction sites. Despite the challenges, Lakshmina’s determination remained unwavering.

During this time, Lakshmina’s encounter with the field staff of Satin Creditcare Network Limited opened new doors for her. She joined a self-help group, availed loans, and installed a toilet for her family. As her financial situation improved, Lakshmina’s family expanded to include her husband, six daughters, and one son. Her husband recovered but couldn’t work outside due to illness.

While working, Lakshmina observed sanitation practices and safety measures. One day during a meeting, she learned about a training program on safe sanitation practices offered by FINISH Mondial. Overcoming her initial hesitation, Lakshmina revealed her identity as a mason’s wife and was selected for the training. During the training, Lakshmina gained valuable insights into constructing safe and hygienic toilets, septic tanks, and soak pits. Lakshmina actively participates in group discussions on sanitation, cleanliness, and waste management. She believes that adopting safe sanitation practices can lead to prosperity.

Lakshmina’s journey from a struggling laborer to a trained mason and sanitation advocate is a testament to her resilience and determination to create a better future for herself and her community.

Her mantra “Build toilets, embrace hygiene, and pave the way for prosperity” resonates with communities far and wide, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps and work towards a cleaner, healthier future for all. Lakshmina Devi’s story is a reminder that with determination and perseverance, anything is possible. “Initially, I used to work as a laborer, toiling away, stacking bricks one upon another. Even now, I am engaged in the same work, but with a mindset focused on safe sanitation practices. Just as a doctor cannot become an engineer, and an engineer cannot become a doctor, I consider myself both an engineer of safe sanitation and a doctor of hygiene. The credit for this transformation goes to FINISH and Satin Credit Care Network Limited, who chose me for training and provided me with growth opportunities.”