Health 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
Waterorg_FY21-WorldWaterDay_Img-1.jpg
Zenebech's story

Zenebech lives in a rural village a few hours south of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. Among the other mud and thatch homes, Zenebech raises her six children with her husband. Zenebech told others in her village about how a small loan changed their world and it could change theirs too. "I didn't want them to suffer any longer. I want them to be healthy like my kids". Read more about why she wanted safe water for her neighbors.

Read more
Elena and boys
Water is a game changer

As a child, Elena did not share in the joys of playtime like her boys, nor did she have time to even imagine what she wanted to be when she grew up. Elena was raised in rural Peru where she spent many hours carrying water jugs rather than kicking a soccer ball.

Read more
Carrying a vessel
Her crisis

Today, 2.2 billion people lack access to safe water. Each one has great potential, yet the burden of the water crisis hinders their every attempt to break free from the cycle of poverty. When it comes down to who will bear the burden of daily water collection, it’s women and children.

Read more
Grace
Safe water and pregnancy

Grace’s baby was due to arrive any day. Grace lives in a small rural village several hours south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Thirty-three million people lack access to safe water in her country. Read about how a small, affordable loan empowered Grace and her husband to give their young family safe water and a bright future.

Read more
Rose Uganda 1
Rose's story, then and now

Four years ago we shared Rose’s story. At the time she had just taken a small, affordable loan to give her family a toilet and water at home. Since that time, life has only improved for Rose...

Read more
water tap Philippines
A different year, a different life

It's 2019, and José and Elma live a different life than they did a year before. What’s the difference? Their lives changed the day they were able to turn the handle on their own water tap at home for the first time.

Read more
Sophon
Giving babies a healthy start with water

For Sophon, there was nothing beautiful about the water-related burdens she endured much of her life in rural Cambodia. She wanted to end those burdens for her son.

Read more
Lelita - Peru
Investing in their home, health, and future

Lelita and her brother John share their childhood home outside of Chiclayo in Peru. Years ago, before their parents passed, the two committed to their mother and father that they would keep the home in the family. Though it is a simple concrete, dirt-floor dwelling, they promised to give future generations the best lives possible in the house their parents built.

Read more
Alemtsenay
A smart decision for a smart solution

A small, affordable loan made possible by Water.org empowered Alemtsenay and her husband to construct a bathroom for their family. Alemtsenay shared, “We will no longer be susceptible to diseases or such poor hygiene practices that cause sickness.”

Read more
Children in India go to school
Finance for water is an investment in the future

We believe that if we can provide people with small, affordable loans for water connections and toilets, we can transform and empower people to participate in their own solution - allowing them to define their own futures and those of future generations.

Read more
School in India - Ozer
Give water credit for time at school

A lack of access to safe water at home disproportionately impacts children. Their health and their opportunity for education can suffer.

Read more
Dora and Moses Peru 2
Dora and Moses

The only thing missing from the home they loved was easy access to safe water and sanitation.

Read more

Together, we can empower more families with safe water.

Donate