Economic potential stories

Together, we've empowered millions of people with access to safe water and sanitation. We invite you to meet some of them and read their stories.

All stories
Nimfa's water pump
Unlocking her potential

Nimfa’s story is a story shared by many women in her village. After spending too many girlhood hours searching for water, and spending too much money paying for what they lacked, they grew up to recognize their potential and knew they needed safe water to unlock it.

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Lima
Ariacelle

When given a choice and an opportunity to pay for water and sanitation improvements over a reasonable period of time, families in need often choose to finance long-term solutions versus pay high prices, or struggle day-to-day, to get that next liter of water. Ariacelle once struggled daily to pay for bottled water and find a safe place to go. A small, affordable loan empowered Ariacelle with the funds needed to pay for the installation of a toilet and sink in her home.

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Birtukan
Because of you

Because of you, life is different for millions of people around the world. It’s different for people like Dora and Moses in Peru, and Birtukan in Uganda, for Sariati in Indonesia, and for Birtukan in Ethiopia.

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Ethiopia hands and money
Who will solve their crisis

We believe that at least half of the people in need of safe water and sanitation are the solution to their own water crisis. They are men and women, who, despite living in poverty, are already making huge financial sacrifices to try to change their water and sanitation situation.

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Jerrycans Ethiopia
The cost of water in Ethiopia

Across the country people are paying large portions of their daily income for water. Whether they are purchasing water from vendors or buying it from neighbors, this takes away from giving their families more in life.

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Loan repayment
The story of WaterCredit

Watch as we share with you how WaterCredit progressed into what is now a solution that is empowering millions of people in need in India and around the world.

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A Better Path
A better path to water

Gary White, Co-Founder & CEO of Water.org, has been working to improve lives with access to safe water for more than twenty years. These two decades of experience led Gary to realize that the traditional cycle of philanthropy (spend money to provide water, and raise money for the next village) would never solve the water crisis for every person on the planet. There had to be a better path.

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India 0
How our solutions are working in India

Access to safe water is a conduit to help people achieve their full potential. But, access to safe water can be expensive when you are a family living below the poverty line in India. Families living in poverty often pay up to 15% of their household income for water services. It is in this juxtaposition that we understand why some may be prohibited from achieving much more than survival. And, it is why Water.org is connecting with institutions in India to bring solutions to meet the water and sanitation needs of families.

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Semambo coffee
Semambo Grows

Upon meeting Semambo one discovers she is truly living out the beauty of her dreams. Strong and bold like the coffee she grows, she overcame obstacles that once stood between her and the ability to earn an income to support her family.

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Fermin and his family
How a small loan empowered a family in Peru

With a small, affordable loan Fermin gave his family water, a toilet, and so much more. The few months it will take Fermin to repay his loan will seem like no time compared to the long-term benefits his family will experience by having water and sanitation at home.

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Rebecca
To generations of safe water

Your donations have empowered millions of women like Rebecca to provide their families with access to safe water - and so much more.

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Medhih
Their parents gave them water for their wedding

The parents of newlyweds Medhih and Mesi are excited for their children to start their life together. Knowing what it takes to manage a home and start a family, they helped the young couple build their first home, and gave Medhih and Mesi the gift of safe water.

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Together, we can empower more families with safe water.

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