Crisanta B. Pahis

Crisanta B. Pahis, a 35-year-old resident of San Isidro Balingasag Misamis Oriental, has been a member of Serviamus Foundation Incorporated for 6 years. 

Crisanta is single and lives with her mother, sister, and brother-in-law. Crisanta and her mother are usually home alone since her sister and brother-in-law travel often. She owns a sari-sari store and earns a monthly estimated income of Php 13,000.00. 

She shares household expenses with her sister. Despite being single, she could not ignore the challenges of struggling to fetch water and a toilet that needed improvement.  

Crisanta decided to have its first project for water connection at home. For years, Crisanta and her mother relied on a neighbor’s poso (water pump) which was a 2-3 minute walk from their house. This may seem a small inconvenience but she was worried about herself and her mother handling physical tasks. Her mother’s age is 60 years old and still helps with the household chores including the fetching of water.

On January 20, 2022, she availed the SFI WASH Loan program and applied for a loan amounting to Php 15,000.00. The repayment was for 12 months with a monthly payment of Php 1,418.00. 

With the help of SFI, Crisanta successfully installed their water connection inside their home. She has now felt relief that they no longer struggle because of the lack of water. The program not only provided financial assistance but also empowered her to take the first step toward improving their home. 

Apart from the water problem, their toilet is also need for improvement. The toilet has a hole in the ceiling. There was a gap at the bottom which was uncomfortable and unsafe for them which allowed frogs, rats, and snakes to enter inside. Some of the walls were made of amakan which is easily damaged especially during rainy seasons. Crisanta believes that having a comfortable and safe toilet is just as important as having clean water. 

Crisanta decided to have her second project which was the toilet improvement. She borrowed a loan amounting to Php 15,000.00 last December 22, 2022, and the repayment was for 12 months with a monthly payment of Php 1,418.00.

As Crisanta looks back, she feels gratitude to Serviamus Foundation Incorporated for the opportunity to improve their toilet and water. No longer to worry about their toilet and water is now within their home for drinking, cleaning, bathing, cooking, and other daily needs. Today, Crisanta is very happy to see her family because of the support of the WASH Loan program of Serviamus Foundation Incorporated.