All 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
Elivane garden
Safe water turns challenges into choices

To Elivane, water is everything. For many years, the activities of her days were controlled by the time she spent walking to and from a river to collect the water her family needed. Now she has access to safe water at home and the time to earn income, care for her home, and create the life she wants for her daughter.

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It was time

When Fatema’s children suffered from illnesses like typhoid and dysentery far too many times, she decided it was time for a solution to her family’s need for an improved toilet. Then a neighbor shared a possible solution with Fatema. Read more to find out how this determined mom in Bangladesh solved her family's sanitation crisis.

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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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How Francisco overcame his water crisis in an unpredictable environment

In the semiarid region of Ceará, Northeast Brazil, where life revolves around the unpredictability of rain, Francisco and his family have seen their share of weather and water-related challenges. But amidst the harsh conditions, one thing has profoundly changed their lives...

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Today, Rozina's daughters can play

Rozina’s daughters missed out on many days of childhood play. Without access to a safe toilet at home her eight and four-year-old girls were often sick from using the toilet outdoors. Rozina knew her home’s lack of a clean, safe toilet and a source of safe water were the cause of her children's illnesses. Rozina was happy she could finally give her family a solution to their water and sanitation crisis.

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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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Creating climate resilience through sustainable solutions

When Saphia first started farming, he struggled to grow healthy crops because he lacked an adequate supply of water. Saphia lives in a region in Kenya where the adverse effects of climate change, like drought, impact the ability of farmers to sustain their crops and livestock. The water sources are regularly dry and their wells are often not dug deep enough into the earth to source water. Read more to find out how Saphia overcame the effects of climate change in his region to ensure he could grow food and provide for his family.

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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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Together, we can empower more families with safe water.

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