Pictured above: Rita dos Santos (second from right) with Timor-Leste Project Manager Simao Luis da Costa (right).
Following a successful first year in Timor-Leste, Abundant Water would like to thank Fokupers for introducing us to the people who have made our vision of clean water possible.
One of those who was introduced to us is filter vendor Rita Dos Santos.
Abundant Water, Fokupers and Rita first met in February 2019 and soon after training, Rita started her water filter business. Since then, Rita has sold dozens of filters in Darulete and the surrounding communities of Liquica, providing clean drinking water to many families in need. Rita has been an incredibly important link for Abundant Water as we continue to establish filter networks throughout more remote areas of Timor-Leste.
Reflecting on her first year with the Abundant Water team, Rita emphasised the benefits which the vendor network provides to her and her community:
‘I think it is very helpful for me and communities here. Because they’ve gotten clean and safe drinking water, they can save their time and energy for the long-distance walking to gather firewood to boil water. They can also now use their time to do other activities. I am now earning some income to improve my business activities and reinvest it to grow my business.’
Whilst Rita’s new business has been a success, it hasn’t been without its challenges:
‘My village is in a very remote area and transportation is always a problem – it is only once a week that public transportation operates in my village. I always have problems sending some filters to customers in my village and my neighbours. In my village many people don’t use social media so it is difficult for me to send messages about water filters through this platform. Sometimes I have to walk long distances and many hours to reach my customers.’
After identifying these obstacles as well as the challenge of operating in lower income areas, Abundant Water has been working with Rita to further develop her business and will trial some new approaches to sales. These include a transport subsidy for remote vendors, commissions for sales referrals from customers in neighbouring villages and more sophisticated marketing approaches.
As one of two vendors in Liquica, we expect Rita’s impact to be strong due to the unreliable nature of water supply in Timor-Leste. With this in mind, Rita aims to continue to grow her business and benefit her community into 2020:
‘I have plans to sell another 100 filters in my village and neighbouring villages in order to provide clean and safe drinking water. If these 100 filter sales are realised, my business will improve and I will reinvest some of profit to increase my business activities.’
The Abundant Water team wishes Rita all the best in her business plans for the future and we look forward to continuing to work with her into the new year!