Pause for a moment and imagine that, instead of spending time with family during the holidays, you are left with an urgent choice. You must either flee your home to an unfamiliar place or keep your family in imminent danger. 

This is the choice that refugees often face. Just as Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus were forced to flee to Egypt, parents around the world today must flee violence, disasters, and traumatic events. They often leave everything behind and escape carrying only their small children. 

Few people know more about earthly sorrows than refugees. When refugees reach safety, they are often faced with unexpected learning curves:  learning new languages and becoming familiar with cultural customs. Most remain in refugee settings for more than 10 years, including Maria and her family. 

Maria’s parents fled Congo more than 20 years ago, and she was born in the Nyarugusu refugee camp a year later. When we spoke with Maria, she told us that water was always a challenge in the camp. But in 2015, a political crisis in Burundi led to an influx of an additional hundred thousand refugees, which made the resource even more scarce. 

There simply was not enough water to meet everyone’s needs in the camp. Maria and other refugees would spend hours fetching water that was contaminated and made them sick.  

Today, because of the generosity of friends like you, safe water is flowing for all 150,000 refugees in the camp. Your faithful support allowed Water Mission to install innovative solar-powered pumping and water treatment solutions. This means Maria and her new baby, Margaret, have safe water available close to home. 

“When Margaret and I wake up healthy, I count that as a blessing,” Maria says joyfully. “We can bathe. We can wash our clothes. We can wash dishes. Since the presence of the water project, everything has been good. Health is very much improved.” 

Safe water means new mothers, like Maria, can praise the Lord for the blessing of healthy, happy children. It also provides opportunities for refugees and others in need to experience the joy that comes only from a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.  

As you celebrate the joy of our Savior’s birth this Christmas, consider blessing families like Maria’s with safe and Living Water.  

Your Christmas gift brings joy to the world’s most vulnerable people. 

GIVE TODAY

The post Safe Water for Refugee Mothers: An Answer to Prayer  appeared first on Water Mission.

As Christmas nears, we celebrate the joy of our Savior’s birth. We also remember those around the world who await the life-changing joy of safe water and the Living Water message of Jesus Christ. 

In Nyarugusu refugee camp in Tanzania, our team has installed safe water solutions that have brought joy and health to some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Maria and her one-year-old daughter Margaret are two such people.  

Maria was born in the refugee camp over two decades ago after her parents fled Congo. Before Water Mission came, she used to spend four hours each day collecting water. Unfortunately, the water she collected often made her sick. 

Because of friends like you who care about people like Maria, we were able to build a safe water solution to serve the entire camp—more than 150,000 refugees. 

“When we started using water from the tap stand, I was very happy,” Maria says. “We can bathe. We can wash our clothes. We can wash dishes. Since the presence of the water project, everything has been good. Health is very much improved.” 

The blessing of safe water was especially evident for Maria after her baby daughter, Margaret, was born last year.  

“I’ve never had any issues with my baby having a waterborne illness. I am a Christian, and Margaret is one of my blessings. God has blessed me in so many ways. When Margaret and I wake up healthy, I count that as a blessing every single day.” 

Safe water builds joy. Access to clean, safe water means new mothers like Maria can experience the blessing of seeing their babies wake up healthy every morning. It means little ones like Margaret can experience the joys of childhood. 

During this Christmas season, consider blessing families like Maria’s with the gift of safe water and the Living Water message of our Savior, Jesus Christ.   

GIVE TODAY 

The post Give the Joy of Safe Water This Christmas appeared first on Water Mission.

At Water Mission, responding to disasters is an integral part of our work. In the initial days following a disaster, access to clean, safe water for drinking, hygiene, and sanitation is critical. Our ministry was born out of the need for safe water following the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch in Honduras in 1998. Since that initial response, Water Mission has continued to provide relief in the wake of natural disasters and humanitarian crises.  

When the conflict in Ukraine began in late February, Water Mission once again tapped into its deep experience in emergency response. We sent a team to the region to evaluate the safe water, sanitation, and hygiene needs of those impacted by the conflict. As of September, Water Mission and its partners in Ukraine had installed 25 safe water systems across the four cities of Mykolaiv, Pokrovsk, Kramatorsk, and Myrnohrad. These systems have already produced more than 1.3 million gallons (5 million liters) of safe water for those impacted by the ongoing crisis. 

Water Mission is also responding in Pakistan after heavy monsoon rains led to catastrophic flooding, leaving one-third of the country under water. Our rapid response provided clean, safe water to thousands of internally displaced people living in temporary camps. Thanks to the support of so many who have come alongside us, we were able to provide emergency shipments of water treatment systems, water purification supplies, and hygiene kits. As of September 20, our team on the ground in the Sindh province of Pakistan has installed multiple safe water treatment systems. Each system can provide enough safe water for 500 families each day. Residents of the Sindh region are now able to access safe water and avoid dangerous waterborne illnesses that become more prevalent after a disaster if safe water is not readily available. We are happy to share that another shipment is on its way to Pakistan.  

Water Mission is blessed to be in the position to respond to multiple humanitarian crises at one time. Because of your generosity, we have been able to provide safe water to those displaced by heavy flooding in Pakistan, as well as those impacted by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.  

To learn more about our efforts in Ukraine, visit watermission.org/help-people-in-ukraine/.

Help in Ukraine

To learn more about our efforts in Pakistan, visit watermission.org/help-people-in-pakistan/.  

Help in Pakistan

The post Disaster Response Update: Safe Water is Flowing in Pakistan and Ukraine Thanks to Supporters Like You  appeared first on Water Mission.

As Water Mission celebrates its 21st year as a nonprofit, we reflect on all those who use their time, talent, and treasure to serve communities worldwide.

As his team progressed on a safe water project in Lempira, Honduras, Jeison Nolasco received the news that his wife was going into labor. He dropped everything to be by her side.  

“I directed the installation of the water pipes through video calls,” shared Jeison, a Water Mission project manager. “A few days later, we completed the system’s installation.” 

Only family matters like this would pull Jeison away from his job providing clean, safe water and sharing God’s love. 

Jeison and his colleagues on the Honduras team work alongside community leaders to analyze existing water sources and recommend the next steps. During these initial meetings, they ensure community leaders understand their responsibility to sustain the safe water system. Water Mission staff then work to establish a Safe Water Committee and provide safe water, sanitation, and hygiene training. 

Jeison experienced Water Mission’s dedication to excellence during his first few weeks on the job in 2019. “I was struck by Water Mission’s water treatment technology, project monitoring, and care about project sustainability,” Jeison shared. 

Your support allows staff members like Jeison to implement best-in-class solutions and share God’s love. “We are not only bringing physical help to the communities,” he said, “but also carrying the message of the word of God.” 

Join the Water Mission Team 

Are you feeling God calling you into service? Safe water charity Water Mission is hiring skilled people to accomplish the mission the Lord has placed before us. Visit watermission.org/careers to learn more. 

GIVE SAFE WATER

The post Staff Spotlight: Jeison Nolasco, Project Manager appeared first on Water Mission.

Because of your prayerful generosity, nearly 1,200 people in Padre Cocha are experiencing the benefits of safe water and the Living Water message of Jesus Christ. 

In partnership with other caring friends, Water Mission’s Peru team is finalizing its plans to transition Padre Cocha’s safe water solution to the community. By equipping the Safe Water Committee with the necessary water, sanitation, and hygiene training, Padre Cocha will soon independently manage its new system. 

“Thank you for training people in the community to be operators,” said Mariano Manuyama, a Padre Cocha resident. “They are learning to manage all of the system equipment.” 

The project’s commissioning ceremony in December 2021 was full of joy and laughter. Children who no longer suffer from waterborne illness rejoiced in song and dance. Community members prayed over the new system, which provides clean, safe water for more than 250 families. 

“Not only is today a day of celebration, but we celebrate every day enjoying this Living Water,” said Victoria Espinoza, Peru interim country director, during her speech at the ceremony. 

“We are so happy and thankful to Water Mission that God has placed His hands on them so they could come here to our community and improve the water,” shared Maria Laiche Huayta, a member of the Safe Water Committee.  

GIVE SAFE WATER

The post Safe Water for 250 Families in Padre Cocha, Peru appeared first on Water Mission.

Few people can understand the pain and suffering refugees experience when forced from their homes. Whether fleeing from violence, natural disasters, or other traumatic events, families leave their lives behind in search of safety. 

The emotional burden is heavy, leaving mothers like Mary heartbroken and angry. She is a refugee from South Sudan, a nation that has endured years of violence and turmoil.

“I lost two of my children to the hopeless war,” Mary shared with our team. “I came to the [refugee] settlement with negative thoughts and bitter hate in my heart.” 

This level of trauma can destroy families, faith, self-worth, and, most importantly, a connection to God. If not addressed, trauma can be a mortal wound to the soul and create a barrier to hearing the gospel. 

“I told my elder children to join a militia group and kill any [rival group member] they could find,” Mary continued. “I cannot imagine how much pain they have caused others.” 

Water Mission’s ministry work in refugee communities focuses on physical and spiritual restoration. We meet physical needs by providing clean, safe water and spiritual needs through sharing the Living Water of Jesus Christ.  

In partnership with Concordia Lutheran Ministries, Water Mission is involved in the Northern Uganda Refugee Trauma Healing Project. This biblically based initiative promotes forgiveness and reconciliation.  

Facilitators encouraged refugees to take their pain to Christ, who died on the cross for our sin and everything sin brings with it: death, pain, sickness, conflict, and abuse. The training focuses on helping refugees who have gone through horrific experiences start a grieving process. The goal is that refugees experience healing and can begin to rebuild their lives and communities. The goal is to comfort those who mourn and heal the brokenhearted. 

A total of 150 church leaders were equipped during this training in March. They learned to facilitate trauma healing in their church communities and are actively sharing through their churches in both corporate worship and small group bible studies.  

As these church leaders bless their communities, refugees like Mary are experiencing Christ’s restoration.  

“This conference has made a difference in me,” Mary shared, telling us that she plans to call her children home from fighting with the militia.  

Walking alongside refugees as they grieve and process pain is essential to trauma healing. Such restoration allows individuals to express their feelings openly to God, encourages refugees to rely on Christ, and equips them with resources to help others heal.  

GIVE SAFE WATER

The post Restoration and Trauma Healing for Refugees in Northern Uganda appeared first on Water Mission.

Water Mission has been responding to the crisis in Ukraine since the conflict started in February. This August, we produced nearly 800,000 gallons (3 million liters) of safe water for impacted people in Ukraine. This milestone was only possible with support from generous friends like you. 

Shipments of emergency water treatment equipment and water purification supplies over the past several months have allowed the continuous flow of clean, safe water in multiple cities throughout Ukraine. We have installed 30 safe water systems in four different cities. We plan to install another 10 systems by December. 

“Recently, a city of 40,000 people had its municipal water system destroyed,” reported Josh Burns, Water MIssion’s disaster response team lead. “Within 48 hours, our team had safe water flowing for those in need.” 

In Mykolaiv, two reverse osmosis (RO) systems provide nearly 800 gallons (3,000 liters) of safe water per hour. The Ukrainian Red Cross Society relies on these systems to fill water trucks and deliver safe water throughout the city. Smaller RO systems are located at public access points, such as churches and healthcare facilities, where men, women, and children can retrieve clean, safe water day and night. 

“Each system provides people with a source of hope and consistency in a time of chaos,” Josh shared. 

Our teams have also assembled and distributed hygiene kits for refugees fleeing the conflict and those displaced inside Ukraine. These kits are stocked with sanitary supplies to help people stay healthy.  

In partnership with local churches and organizations, Water Mission has printed bibles and trauma healing materials in Ukrainian. These resources help ministry leaders share God’s love with those experiencing tremendous loss. 

GIVE SAFE WATER

The post More Than 3 Million Liters of Safe Water in Ukraine appeared first on Water Mission.

How Reliable Access to Safe Water is Transforming Livelihoods in Chikola 

Time is precious. With enough of it, people have the opportunity to achieve their dreams.  

For Helena, a 16-year-old in Chikola, Tanzania, time was rarely on her side. Like many women and children around the world, Helena was responsible for walking long distances to fetch water for her family. 

Every morning, she would spend two to three hours traveling from her home, standing in line, filling her jerry cans, and trekking back. This is time that could be spent receiving an education or chasing her dream of having a farm of her own.   

“Girls in my community face challenges because they have to go fetch water before they go to school. So, most times, they are either late or unable to make it to school,” she says. “The water is very scarce. Sometimes girls are able to get to the well, but there is a long queue, and they are unable to get water in time [to get to school].” 

Collecting water so far away puts young women like Helena in dangerous situations. It also takes away valuable time from school and other activities. 

Like young women everywhere, Helena dreams of a prosperous future and knows that both time and access to safe water play an important role in her success. She says she loves her community and wants to stay there and have a farm of her own. 

“With farming, you have to go fetch water before you can work on the farm,” Helena says. “With water close by, you can just get the water and start working.” 

No matter an individual’s dream or aspiration, the gift of time and access to safe water play an integral role in a person’s future. 

Thanks to the monthly support from our Thirst Quenchers, more than 7 million people around the world have access to safe, clean water.  

GIVE TODAY

The post With Time on Her Side, Helena’s Dreams Can Become a Reality  appeared first on Water Mission.

It’s back-to-school season. As memories of catching the bus or walking to school flood the minds of many, new generations are following in their footsteps. This time of year is often hopeful and exciting. But the devastating reality is that millions of children long to receive an education but often miss school due to illnesses caused by contaminated water sources.

This was the case for children growing up in Conquista Campecina, a small, remote community in Chiapas, Mexico. Many children were too sick to run, play, or go to school.  

“My little boy suffered a lot in the past because we would drink water from the well,” said Angela, a mother of two. “He could play for 15 minutes and would just be tired. He would get sick and couldn’t go to school. When he finished kindergarten, he couldn’t even hold a pencil to draw or write.” 

Because of the community’s proximity to the ocean, the shallow, hand-dug wells were salty. Mothers like Angela prayed that their children could thrive.  

“I remember when we had meetings at school, there was one very frequent topic,” she said. “All the parents would say how their children were not attending school because of sickness.” 

With the help of faithful partners like you, Water Mission installed solutions to provide safe water for the entire community of Conquista Campecina. 

A Community’s Resilience 

While the community struggled with illness, its residents remained hopeful, selflessly helping one another. Now, with direct access to safe water, the livelihood of the entire community has changed for the better.  

“Now, my little boy is more focused,” Angela exclaimed. “He’s learning to use a pencil. He’s learning to write. He’s not getting sick very often. He’s not complaining about his stomach. He’s not in pain. Now, he is doing his best.”  

Angela’s son and daughter are thriving in school and enjoying their childhoods. It brings Angela great joy. 

Fighting the Global Water Crisis 

While we rejoice over Conquista Campecina’s access to safe water, 2.2 billion people worldwide still lack access to this basic human need. Water Mission is a clean water charity committed to working with faithful supporters like you to provide the gift of safe water and share the Living Water message of Jesus Christ. 

As children worldwide prepare for the upcoming school year, please pray: 

• For the communities that are still awaiting access to clean, safe water.
• For staff, local churches, and community members who work together to bless their neighbors through our projects.
• For the relationships built between staff and communities, in hopes that everyone would come to know God and believe in his Son, Jesus. 

As you pray, consider how you might bless children around the world with safe water solutions and the opportunity to get an education. 

GIVE TODAY

The post Safe Water’s Impact on Education in Mexico appeared first on Water Mission.

Access to safe water can change lives, building health and hope. It can create educational and economic opportunities that help break the cycle of poverty in families and communities.  Through the Lord’s provision and caring friends who come alongside us, we can ensure communities like Desa Sopu, Indonesia, have access to clean, safe water.  

In January, Water Mission commissioned a safe water project in Desa Sopu that now serves every family in the community—more than 900 people. Raw water is gravity fed into the community from a spring. It is then treated to make it safe to consume. Residents in the community can collect the safe water from a kiosk-style setup that allows for easy, reliable access to this essential resource. 

Boys and girls used to get sick from water-related illnesses. A community leader told us that now, with the new safe water solution, “Kids are fit to study in school.” 

We are thankful to those who partner with us to serve our global neighbors. 

Give Now

The post Safe Water for Indonesia appeared first on Water Mission.