Miraildes' battle for water is over
From the food she grows for her family to eat, to the nearby coffee farms that provide her husband with work opportunities—water is essential to Miraildes and her family’s lives. In describing the importance of water, Miraildes explained, “Water is essential for many things…Everything we do involves it.”
“It was a daily battle to get water."
Miraildes learned to roast coffee beans. She now dries some of the fruits growing on her property to extract the beans, roast them, and sell the coffee locally for extra income.
This is Jose's mother's home, where Miraildes used to get water for her family when the river ran dry.
Miraildes and her husband, Jose raise their family of four in Brejao in the state of Bahia where rivers flow, hills span for miles, and coffee farms flourish. Jose earns some income doing labor jobs around town but for the most part, his income to support the family comes from harvesting coffee for farmers in Brejao. Miraildes and Jose grow coffee plants on their property as well. She has learned to roast the beans to enjoy at home, and to sell.
“Water is essential for many things.”
For many years the family lacked a reliable source of safe water at home. To get water, Miraildes walked to a river to collect it. She explained that she could never collect enough in one trip for all of their needs, “It was a daily battle to get water.” Miraildes spent hours of her days collecting water for cooking, to water their garden, and to feed their chickens. It was far too much for Miraildes to carry back enough water for her family’s baths and laundry, so Miraildes and her family bathed and washed their clothing in the river.
Water.org's local partner, AgroAmigo, works with families in rural Brazil to help them get access to small loans for the essentials they need like water and sanitation solutions.
A small loan through Water.org’s local financial partner in Brazil helped put an end to Miraildes’ walks for water. With the small loan, Miraildes and Jose were able to fund the construction of a new water storage tank and all the necessary pipes to channel the water into their home. Now, Miraildes can cook, clean, and water her garden, and her children can bathe safely inside their home.
Jose and the children feed their chickens. The family raise dozens of chickens for poultry and eggs.
Miraildes' daughter enjoys doing her homework and learning from her mom at home.
"Now we have a water tank...I'm happier now."
When describing the difference this improved safe water solution has made in their lives, Miraildes explained, “It was much more difficult, especially living here…Now we have a water tank…I’m happier now. We have more time.” And more time has given Miraildes the ability to choose how she will spend the hours of her days.
With safe water at home and time on her side, Miraildes can roast more coffee to sell, help her children with their school work, and work alongside her husband to create the bright future they want for their family in Brazil.
