Dinesh Kumar is an investor in opportunity. At 36 years old from the Nimahi village, Tariyani Block of the Sheohar district in the state of Bihar, Dinesh is fulfilling his desire to serve the community by helping to create access to improved water and sanitation services.
Water For People partner Basix found Dinesh in 2011 on our quest to recruit entrepreneurs for a pilot program for sanitation as a business. We trained Dinesh and others in the business, and assisted them in setting up one-stop shops for toilet construction products and services.
Previously a consumer would have to interact with up to 12 different entities to build a toilet. The new shops greatly simplify the supply chain, allow for better quality control, and make it easier for the customer to know what they would get for their money.
Dinesh opened his sanitation outlet in August 2013 with a minimum capital investment of Rs.30000. He quickly learned the tricks of trade, and the rest, as they say, is history. With Water For People’s support and BASIX’s continual motivation, he has now grown to be one of the most promising entrepreneurs in the Sheohar district. Dinesh has paid back his loan and is making a profit as his business and the demand for water and sanitation products continues to grow. His personal and professional success allows him to send his children to school and provide for a bright future — all while contributing toward the community’s investment in Everyone Forever.
