“World Water Day” Highlights the Crisis of Unsafe Drinking Water
For over 40 years, Lifewater International, a top-rated Christian water charity, has been committed to a world where children can wake up each morning knowing they have clean water, sanitation and hygiene to help keep them healthy. The work is critical as statistics show 1 in 10 people in the world live without access to clean water and 1 in 4 lack access to a toilet, essential basics many of us take for granted. Sadly, the result is every two minutes a child dies from a preventable waterborne disease.
On March 22, World Water Day once again focuses on raising awareness of the global crisis. Established in 1993 by the United Nations, the event highlights the importance of sustainable water use and how it supports economic, social and human development. This year’s campaign theme is on “Accelerating Change.”
At Lifewater, we rely on the generosity of people like you to help eradicate waterborne diseases with sustainable solutions for basic access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene practices. Without them, too many families walk miles for water that makes them sick, spend their income on medication, and struggle to send their children to school.
The crisis disproportionately affects women as 80% of water collecting is done by women or girls who spend hours gathering water rather than working and going to school, trapping them in a cycle of poverty. Today’s most affected places include villages in East Africa and Southeast Asia that are challenging to serve as they are in rural areas without access to rudimentary infrastructure and technology.
However Lifewater doesn’t believe in just going to easy places but are guided by our faith knowing “‘Jesus cares about everybody.” Our work includes bringing clean water, improved health, and the hope of the gospel to the world’s hardest to reach places.
Our WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) program is about a lot more than building a well. Every community we serve is taught hygiene and sanitation habits to keep the village healthy and ensure safe water sources last for generations to come. Clean water and safe bathrooms in local schools also mean more children stay in school and have more opportunities for brighter futures.
Your gift to Lifewater allows us to serve communities in Ethiopia, Uganda, Cambodia and Tanzania. In Cambodia alone, 1 in 5 people do not have access to clean water, and 1 in 3 people do not have access to a toilet or the means to wash hands with soap and water. Chompey, a mother living in the Svay Leu region where a project is still funded, says, “My children often get sick with stomach aches and fevers,” and looks forward to a day when her family has clean, accessible water.
We are confident Lifewater’s work will have life-sustaining impact as access to clean water, health and opportunity empowers communities to thrive. Please visit our website to learn more.
