Savitramma and her family live in Kuppur, a village 8 kms far from Tumkur. She joined Grameen Koota's (GK) group lending program in 2003. With her exemplary credit discipline she has gained much from the opportunities GK offers. “We were able to have good profit from agriculture thanks to GK's timely support,” Savitramma says. Since 2003 she has taken 8 times income generation loans for her vegetable and flower cultivation, which helped them to earn a livelihood from their small farm, through out these years.

Savitramma and family are excited about their recent achievement of constructing an EcoSan toilet next to their house. She came to know about EcoSan toilets from Navya Disha Trust. Being enthusiastic about the new idea she sought further help from Navya Disha. “We went to Holenarasipura in Hassan district to learn more about Ecosan toilets. It was an eye opening experience,” Savitramma described about the trip Navya Disha organized to introduce EcoSan toilets to a group of people from Tumkur area. 

The amount spent to construct the toilet, Rs. 23840/-, was covered by the family's own savings of Rs. 6000/-, a GK loan of Rs. 7000/-, and a Navya Disha grant of Rs. 10000/-,” Lakshman, Savitramma's son-in-law thankfully explained.

The family is very happy about the achievement. “Before constructing this toilet 6 months ago, we had to spend Rs. 4000/- in a span of 4 months for pesticides. Now we ourselves are preparing pesticides for the vegetables,” Lakshman said. “For agricultural families, EcoSan toilet is a blessing in all directions,” Savitramma complemented.