Women's empowerment 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
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Safe water for Sharifa's family and friends

As a mother of young children, Sharifa struggled with the time it took to find and collect water for her family. And most of all, she struggled with seeing her children get sick from the only water she could give them.

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A grandma proudly gives her family a safe place to go

Until a few years ago, Corazon’s family lacked access to a toilet at home. They used a makeshift toilet about 10 meters from their home. Click to find out how a small loan helped make a lasting, safe sanitation solution possible for Corazon and her family.

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This mom wanted the best thing for her children and that is safe water

From illnesses due to drinking dirty pond water to long, unsafe walks to collect water far away, this mother of three in Bangladesh is thankful she and her children no longer face the challenges posed by the water crisis.

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Closer to home

In the heart of Indonesia, where lush landscapes and a commitment to daily prayer abound, lies the inspiring story of Patahimawati – a woman who, like millions of women around the world, struggled with the daily challenges of inadequate access to safe water and sanitation at home. Her life took a transformative turn, however, when her family got affordable, lasting access to safe water at home.

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Closing the gap between Rwamburi and the water its families need to survive

The Rwamburi Water Project committee formed with hopes of finding an affordable, safe, sustainable solution to their community’s water crisis. Read more about how Water.org’s work to increase affordable access to safe water helped empower the committee to close the gap between their community and access to the safe water they need to survive and thrive

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Kantabai gave her family safe water and a bright future

In the countries where we work, like India, women and children often bear the primary responsibility for water collection. After decades of collecting water from distant sources outdoors, Kantabai is thankful she could finally give her sons, daughter-in-laws, and grandchildren safe water at home.

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Phoebe shortened the distance between her family and safe water

While she is soft spoken and gentle-hearted, Phoebe’s decision to finance a safe water solution for her family was nothing shy of bold and life-changing. Prior to giving her family a lasting safe water solution at home, Phoebe humbly drew upon every ounce of strength in her body to endure what she refers to as a daily journey to collect water. Then Phoebe's life changed when she was given the opportunity to finance a lasting safe water solution at home.

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Swati no longer struggles to give her family water

A developing leader in India, the state of Maharashtra is making headway for its economy and its people, however in this region Swati calls home, millions of people still lack access to safe water and sanitation. Find out how a small, affordable loan empowered this mother of two with lasting access to safe water at home.

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Khateeja is confident and proud

Without a toilet at their home in India, Khateeja and her daughters had no choice but to walk about 500 meters to relieve themselves in an open field. Khateeja worried greatly for her daughter’s safety knowing how dangerous going in public can be for young women. Read how this mother changed her family's lives by giving them an improved sanitation solution at home.

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Erenice
Water means life

Since Erenice's childhood, her family’s water well has never run dry. However, in recent years the structure, built entirely out of rammed earth, has been in danger of collapsing. Honoring the memory of her parents and to protect her family's quality of life and means of production, Erenice decided to repair the well. Find out how Erenice was able to affordably repair and improve the source of water her family needs to survive and thrive.

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Safe water at home empowers this village leader, businesswoman, and mom

Selamah’s confidence in selling produce is encouraging to her friends and neighbors because they know they can count on Selamah to help them earn money to feed and care for their families. However, in the past something Selamah did not share was her personal challenge with not having access to the water she needed to care for her family and run the vegetable business. Without access to safe water at home, Selamah struggled.

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Safe water in Sapdiah's rainforest home

While Indonesia’s rainforests are some of our planet's most biologically rich landscapes, many of the families who call the region home are not so affluent. Families like Sapdiah’s family lack the funds needed to access life's most critical resources, like safe water at home.

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Together, we can empower more families with safe water.

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