“World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives.”

—UNHCR 

Dzaleka refugee camp lies just north of Water Mission’s office in Lilongwe, Malawi. Built in the late-1990s, the settlement provided refuge to thousands of people fleeing violence in Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the time, its capacity was between 10,000 and 14,000 people. With a recent influx of refugees, Dzaleka now houses more than four times that number of people. Because of this, the camp infrastructure is stretched beyond capacity. 

With the steadily rising population in Dzaleka, one of the biggest concerns was access to safe water. Safe, treated water is essential to prevent the spread of waterborne illnesses in refugee camps. It also provides the foundation for supporting other critical services, such as food distribution and medical-related needs. 

Because of our proven track record of building best-in-class safe water solutions in other refugee settings, we were invited to assess the situation in Dzaleka. We then provided our recommendations to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).   

“As part of our initial assessment, we identified that there was no water treatment happening in the camp,” shared Nathan Schneider, Water Mission’s project manager for East Africa. 

Because even clear water can contain deadly bacteria and other contaminants, Water Mission’s report to UNHCR recommended improvements to the water systems, including the addition of residual chlorine dosing systems. On December 8, Water Mission was asked to move forward with implementing our recommendations. Because safe water saves lives, we mobilized quickly and, within just a few weeks, completed the system upgrades. 

“It was a short time to execute,” Nathan said, “but the Malawi team worked through the Christmas holiday to ensure this project was done well.”  

Our team retrofitted existing water systems with erosion chlorinators to treat the water. The safe, treated water is then distributed to men, women, and children in the settlement. This project serves more than 25,000 people and is the first verified safe water solution in Dzaleka.  

Appropriate engineering design takes into account geographical and cultural context, as well as supply chain limitations. The chlorination systems we installed in Dzaleka are ideal for rural settings because they do not require electricity, are easily transported, and are simple to operate.  

Water Mission first started working with refugees in 2013, and today has major initiatives supporting refugees in Western Tanzania and Northern Uganda. With the Lord’s provision and because of faithful partners who come alongside us, we have provided safe water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions for hundreds of thousands of refugees. 

Water Mission is honored to work with UNHCR and Welthungerhilfe to fight the global water crisis and serve refugees. According to UNHCR, there are more than 84 million forcibly displaced people worldwide—a devastating statistic that continues to grow each year. 

Serving in vulnerable communities like Dzaleka is an incredible opportunity to show God’s love to our neighbors. By providing one of life’s most important resources, safe water, we can help refugees have a chance to lead healthier and more prosperous lives. 

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God calls each of us to use our talent and treasure to serve others. Whether this means giving to certain causes, volunteering in our communities, or working at our jobs, these callings are unique and don’t necessarily fit a specific mold. 

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

—1 Peter 4:10-11

For former college baseball player Kyle Hanlon, his passion is to help end the global water crisis that impacts 2.2 billion people. 

Hanlon partners with Water Mission to help provide safe water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions for people in developing countries, refugee camps, and disaster areas. In 2019, he joined professional baseball players Jason Standridge and Blaine Boyer to travel to Uganda with Water Mission. Former MLB player and current Water Mission staff member, Scott Linebrink, led the vision trip. The group visited the Bidibidi refugee settlement, where Hanlon witnessed the global water crisis in person for the first time.  

“Hearing the various stories that were shared with us [during the visit to Bidibidi], from villages being raided to young children and women being slaughtered—the things that these people are going through are absolutely unimaginable,” Hanlon shared. 

While the settlement now has reliable access to safe water, the stories he heard impacted him deeply.  

Many of the residents in Bidibidi sought refuge from South Sudan, a war-torn country that is still enduring turmoil and strife.  

“Before coming [to Bidibidi], I lost my child and my husband,” said Mary Yangi, a South Sudanese refugee living in Bidibidi. “After my husband died, I asked myself, ‘From here, what do I do?’ I had to be strong in my faith so I could manage.” 

So much of what refugees witness in their lifetime is laced with tragedy and sorrow. Through trauma healing seminars, Water Mission walks alongside those who are suffering to share God’s abundant love, grace, and healing power.  

“Being in the refugee settlement has been eye-opening—the dire need for necessities like water and shelter and how life-changing it is,” Hanlon said. “When we see these people with true joy for the access to clean and safe drinking water for the first time in their lives.” 

Hanlon first got involved with Water Mission through his family members, who are long-time friends of the safe water charity. The trip to Uganda in 2019 was “transformational” for him—moved by the faith of the individuals he met in Bidibidi. He later shared with us that days before being invited on the trip, he prayed that God would give him an opportunity to expand his faith. This trip was that opportunity. 

Today, Hanlon is heavily invested in the sanitation portion of our work, as nearly 4.2 billion lack access to a safe place to use the restroom. His prayerful support is making a difference.  

No matter where you may find yourself in this season of life, consider using your time, talent, and treasure to serve others with safe water and sanitation solutions. 

Learn more about how you can get involved at Water Mission at watermission.org/get-involved. 

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Sonia used to wake up in the early morning hours and walk a mile to reach the closest water source. Her family lives in Oenoni, an isolated community in Indonesia. Though her island is surrounded by seawater, it was a daily struggle to obtain fresh drinking water.  

After filling her jugs with water, Sonia carried them back home. This daily trek was a burden for Sonia, as it is for millions of women around the world. Women around the world spend 200 million hours each day collecting water—hours that could be used to care for their families or earn an income. 

Although the water she worked so hard to collect looked clear, it was often contaminated and made her family sick. Waterborne illnesses are deadliest to children under five years old and put Sonia’s baby at risk. Constantly being sick also made it difficult for Sonia to attend to the work that comes with being a new mother. 

Thanks to partners like you, Sonia now has a water source just steps from her front door. Our teams installed a safe water solution in Oenoni that provides reliable access to water for the 1,200 residents. The system pipes water to 300 households, a school, and a medical clinic. Families are healthier, and women like Sonia have more time in their day to tend to their children and their households.  

“Before, it took a lot of struggle to [fetch water],” Sonia said. “Our lives changed after Water Mission came because the water that was so far away is now in front of our house.”  

Having nearby access to safe water has given Sonia more time to care for her baby, who thankfully no longer suffers from water-related illnesses.  

“We are very grateful to God, to Water Mission, and to those who helped bring water closer to our homes,” she said. “This is the love of God that we feel.”  

By coming alongside Water Mission, you can help change even more lives in Southeast Asia and around the world through safe and Living Water.  

Please pray for all the mothers who still long for safe water for their children. As you pray for our work around the world, please also consider how you can deepen your partnership with Water Mission and reach more people like Sonia. 

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The post Safe Water Transforms Life in Oenoni, Indonesia   appeared first on Water Mission.

May 6, 2022

Ukrainian news report shares about Water Mission’s safe water systems arriving to get water flowing (in Ukrainian with English subtitles).

The escalating conflict in Ukraine has left more than 6 million people in Ukraine struggling to access safe water. Water Mission is on the ground working to meet safe water, sanitation, and hygiene needs. We have sent emergency water treatment equipment and water purification supplies to get safe water flowing for men, women, and children. Water Mission is currently one of few nonprofits producing water in multiple cities in Ukraine.    

We are also distributing hygiene kits for refugees and those inside Ukraine to help people stay healthy amid crowded conditions. We continue to partner with local churches to address physical and spiritual needs, bringing the reassurance of God’s love to those who have experienced tremendous loss. 

Moved by the plight of our brothers and sisters, former Major League Baseball player, Adam LaRoche, has generously offered to match all gifts to Water Mission’s Ukraine response, up to $125,000, through his foundation, E3. 

Please pray for the men, women, and children of Ukraine. Pray also for our team working in Ukraine and the surrounding region to get safe water flowing; may God protect and guide them in this vital service. May we continue to bring hope to our global neighbors in their time of greatest need, serving as an example of our Lord’s great love. No matter how great the need, our God’s love is greater. 

Double your impact by supporting Water Mission’s relief efforts during this generous match by clicking the button below. 

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April 27, 2022  

The escalating conflict in Ukraine has triggered an exodus of people seeking refuge elsewhere in the region. Tragically, more than 3 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee, and the vast majority of these refugees are women and children.  

Water Mission has been on the ground serving refugees in Eastern Europe since the first days of the crisis. We are partnering with local churches and civic groups to help with evacuations and meet physical needs, such as safe water, sanitation, hygiene, meals, shelter, and more. We are also working to meet emotional needs, bringing the hope of God’s love to those who have experienced tremendous loss. We are printing Bibles in Ukrainian and providing biblical trauma healing resources for people still in Ukraine, refugees, and church leaders ministering to those impacted by the crisis.  

Thanks to generous friends like you, we are thrilled to have met an initial $50,000 match. On March 21, two more generous partners promised to match an additional $125,000 in gifts to our Ukraine response. If you have been considering blessing those displaced by the crisis in Ukraine, please consider doubling your impact today. Your gift will bring hope amid this heartbreaking tragedy.  

In addition to meeting physical and emotional needs, your gift helps us provide emergency safe water systems and technical expertise to our partners serving displaced people in Ukraine. We are also coordinating with other aid organizations to prepare for recovery efforts, such as repairing municipal water systems, once the conflict ends.  

Water Mission is a safe water charity with more than 20 years of experience responding to natural disasters and humanitarian crises. We’ve served hundreds of thousands of refugees in Tanzania, Uganda, and Malawi. In each response, our team is there to reassure survivors that God is with them.  

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March 21, 2022 

More than 3 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee Ukraine in the last 20 days due to the escalating conflict, according to the UN’s International Organization for Migration. That’s more than 150,000 people per day—and the vast majority of these refugees are women and children.  

Water Mission has been on the ground serving refugees in Eastern Europe since the first days of the crisis. We are partnering with local churches and civic groups to help with evacuations and meet physical needs, such as safe water, sanitation, hygiene, meals, shelter, and more. We are also working to meet emotional needs, bringing the hope of God’s love to those who have experienced tremendous loss. We are printing Bibles in Ukrainian and providing biblical trauma healing resources for people still in Ukraine, refugees, and church leaders ministering to those impacted by the crisis.  

Meeting immediate needs is crucial, but so is preparing for the coming weeks and months. With this in mind, a generous partner has pledged to match all gifts to our Ukraine response, up to $50,000.   

In addition to meeting physical and emotional needs, these gifts will support our efforts to ship emergency safe water systems and supplies to Eastern Europe. We are providing technical expertise, training, and support to our partners serving displaced people in Ukraine. We are also coordinating with other aid organizations to prepare for recovery efforts, such as repairing municipal water systems, once the conflict ends.  

Water Mission is a safe water charity with more than 20 years of experience responding to natural disasters and humanitarian crises. We’ve served hundreds of thousands of refugees in Tanzania, Uganda, and Malawi. In each response, our team is there to reassure survivors that God is with them.  

Your gift will bring hope amid this heartbreaking tragedy.     

GIVE TODAY

March 7, 2022 

The escalating conflict in Ukraine has triggered an exodus of people, primarily women and children, seeking refuge elsewhere in the region. Water Mission is actively working with partners and local churches to care for and serve these refugees.   

Within days, Water Mission sent two assessment teams to border crossings in Poland and Romania to evaluate refugees’ urgent needs. We are partnering with local churches near the Ukraine border to help meet refugees’ physical and emotional needs.   

In addition, Water Mission is proactively shipping emergency safe water systems and supplies to the region. There, the systems will be prepped to support relief and recovery efforts.     

As a safe water charity with more than 20 years of experience responding to natural disasters and humanitarian crises, Water Mission has a background in providing immediate and long-term solutions. We’ve served hundreds of thousands of refugees in Tanzania, Uganda, and Malawi. In each response, our team is there to reassure those dealing with overwhelming loss that God is with them.  

We are blessed to serve alongside the local church as the hands and feet of Jesus. Please join us in praying for these refugees, and for the churches converting their sanctuaries into shelters where refugees can find safe water, food, a warm place to sleep, and the hope of Jesus Christ.   

GIVE TODAY

February 28, 2022 

During the last week of February, Russia launched attacks against Ukraine. The escalating conflict and potential humanitarian crisis triggered an exodus of people seeking refuge elsewhere in the region.   

During any humanitarian crisis, safe water is critical to survival. It helps prevent the spread of waterborne illnesses, which are especially deadly to young children. Water Mission is responding by sending an assessment team to the region. We will evaluate the safe water, sanitation, and hygiene needs of those displaced by the crisis and discern how to best serve those impacted. 

With more than 20 years of experience as a safe water charity responding to natural disasters and humanitarian crises, Water Mission has an extensive background in providing immediate and long-term safe water solutions. In each response, our team is there to reassure those dealing with overwhelming loss that God is with them. 

Please pray for the people of Ukraine and the surrounding region, and for our staff responding to this urgent situation. We also invite you to consider supporting Water Mission’s relief efforts to bring safe water to those displaced by the conflict.  

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The post Ukraine Relief Updates appeared first on Water Mission.

Safe water transforms lives. This Mother’s Day, we celebrate the mothers around the world who are experiencing the lifesaving blessing of safe and Living Water.

Globally, many mothers struggle to raise healthy families without access to safe water. These mothers watch helplessly as their children suffer from water-related illnesses. Their children even face dangers while collecting water. 

Lucy, a mother and long-time resident of Morpus, Kenya, lost her young son many years ago while he was collecting water. Because the only water source in Morpus at the time was a dry riverbed, residents had to dig deep into the sand to reach the water many meters underground.  

Lucy was home cooking for her children while her son was deep in the hole collecting water for the family. Suddenly, Lucy heard cries and screams from the riverbed. When she rushed to investigate, Lucy found that the hole had collapsed, tragically burying her son.   

We are on a mission to end the global water crisis so mothers like Lucy never have to grieve the loss of their children because of this solvable problem. This Mother’s Day, you can show God’s love by helping women keep their children safe and healthy through the gift of safe water.  

Because of caring partners who come alongside Water Mission, we installed a safe water solution in Morpus. Nearly 1,700 people gained reliable access to clean, safe water. Kids no longer need to dig in the riverbed to find water.   

Lucy says that with safe water in the community, “Life has changed completely.” She is grateful that safe water will mean a brighter, safer future for her grandchildren.  

“Now, the children go to school and can get water there,” she said. “We are very thankful.” 

We praise God for partners who help us bring transformation to communities where mothers and grandmothers like Lucy raise their families. With access to safe water, families have improved health, better access to education, and new economic opportunities. As communities witness our clean water charity building lifesaving solutions in the name of the Lord, it opens doors for us to share the gospel.   

One-third of the world’s population still lacks access to safe water, and waterborne illnesses steal more lives every day. The global water crisis is enormous and urgent, but with the Lord’s provision and people like you who come alongside us, there is hope.    

Celebrate Mother’s Day by blessing moms like Lucy with the lifesaving gift of clean, safe water and the transformational Living Water message of Jesus Christ. Your compassion will help mothers build health and hope in their families and show God’s love for His children around the world. 

GIVE TODAY 

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This article below appears as it does in the print edition of the Spring 2022 Newsletter. For the latest updates on Water Mission’s crisis response in Ukraine, click here.

The escalating conflict in Ukraine has triggered an exodus of people, primarily women and children, seeking refuge elsewhere in the region. Water Mission is actively working with partners, local churches, and community groups to care for and serve these refugees. 

Water Mission was quick to respond, sending two assessment teams to border crossings in Poland and Romania within the first few days of the conflict. They immediately evaluated urgent needs and connected with local churches and other NGOs in the area to collaborate on how to best serve refugees.   

We are now partnering with local churches and civic groups near the Ukraine border to help meet refugees’ physical and emotional needs. With regard to emotional needs, our efforts include providing Bibles and biblical trauma healing resources to help minister to refugees and share the Living Water message of Jesus Christ.  

Our strategy is not simply to meet immediate needs, but also to look ahead. Support from caring friends enabled us to proactively ship emergency safe water systems and distribution equipment to Poland and Romania. We are collaborating with other aid organizations on future recovery efforts within Ukraine. These plans include emergency water production and repairs to water infrastructure damaged during the conflict. 

With more than 20 years of experience responding to natural disasters and humanitarian crises, Water Mission has an extensive background in providing immediate and long-term solutions. We’ve served hundreds of thousands of refugees in Tanzania, Uganda, and Malawi. In each of our disaster responses, our team is there to reassure those dealing with overwhelming loss that God is with them. 

We are blessed by those who have generously come alongside us as the hands and feet of Christ. Please join us in praying for the local churches converting their sanctuaries into shelters where refugees can find nourishment, a warm place to sleep, and the hope of Jesus. Pray especially for the women and children we are serving as they seek safety in this season as refugees. As the situation evolves, you may visit watermission.org for updates on our crisis response. 

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The post Crisis Response in Eastern Europe appeared first on Water Mission.

As a ministry, Water Mission provides access to safe water and shares the Living Water message of Jesus Christ. When we build safe water solutions, communities witness Water Mission serving them in the name of the Lord. 

The safe water project in Sitalá, Mexico, which serves more than 10,000 people, is an example of how our work opens doors to sharing the gospel. When we hosted an event in Sitalá last December that blended residents’ love of sports with the good news of the gospel, people already knew and trusted Water Mission. We built on this foundation by bringing in former MLB player and Water Mission supporter, Jaime García, to share the Living Water message. He accompanied Water Mission staff to Sitalá to share his testimony and tell residents about his faith in Christ.  

As a native of Mexico, García has a heart for sharing God’s love and providing access to safe water. We praise God for dedicated partners like García, who use their time, talent, treasure, and influence to bless our global neighbors with safe water and the hope of Jesus Christ.  

“It is a great blessing that Jaime García is with us,” shared Lic Abelardo, municipal president of Sitalá, “knowing the community and telling us about the gospel—the word of God.” 

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In August 2021, Water Mission commissioned a safe water project in Ikonia, Uganda, serving nearly 6,000 people. This solution relies on solar power to pump safe water into the community, schools, and health center. Technology like this offers a sustainable solution for Ikonia’s families, students, and patients. 

“It’s the pride of our community,” shares Jacob Isabirye, a clinical officer at Ikonia Health Centre. “So many health centers from other areas are asking how we did it or what we did to deserve such a grand facility.” 

Before Ikonia received access to safe water, women and children spent much of their time retrieving water.  

“My children’s performance in school [was] not so good since they wasted a lot of time queuing up for water at the well,” shared Patrick Lubaale, local council chairman.  

Today, with access to these resources in their community, life is transformed.  

“The water is very convenient to fetch,” says Juliet Nabiyre, a mother of three. “Can you imagine that anytime I want to get safe water, I just knock at the tap operator’s door, and she gladly opens the tap for me?” 

We pray for the day when safe water solutions are available in all communities worldwide. Until then, we give thanks for friends who come alongside us and make it possible for people in communities like Ikonia to lead healthier, more prosperous lives.  

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The post Transforming Lives with Safe Water in Uganda appeared first on Water Mission.

As the body of Christ, we are called to use our gifts to further His kingdom. At Water Mission, this means fighting the global water crisis that steals more than 800,000 lives each year. This crisis is enormous and urgent, so Water Mission is eager to find skilled professionals who are passionate about bringing safe and Living Water to our global neighbors. We’re looking for hard-working, purpose-driven people to join our team who:  

• Have a personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Embody our values of love, excellence, and integrity.
• Are flexible, entrepreneurial, and collaborative.
• Want to change the world as part of a best-in-class Christian engineering nonprofit.

As the body of Christ, we are called to use our gifts to further His kingdom. At Water Mission, this means fighting the global water crisis and sharing God’s love. 

We are excited to see who the Lord calls to serve with us. If you are interested in serving with us, visit watermission.org/careers. 

join the team

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On Saturday, March 26, more than 3,750 people participated in the 16th Annual Walk for Water at Riverfront Park in North Charleston, SC. Together, they raised more than $450,000 (and counting).  

Every day, millions of women and children walk more than three miles to collect water that is often contaminated and makes their families sick. The three-mile Walk for Water route represented the average distance people walk each day to collect water that can lead to water-related illnesses. Walkers carried empty buckets until the halfway point, filled them with water, and carried the full buckets the final 1.5 miles. 

Scroll on to see some highlights of this special event to raise awareness and fight the global water crisis. Thank you to those who dedicated their Saturday to helping bring clean, safe water to our global neighbors. We hope you’re already making plans to join us for the 2023 Walk for Water next year on Saturday, March 25, 2023. You can also visit walkforwater.com to find a Walk for Water near you or host one in your own community!  

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Even if you couldn’t join us at the Walk, there are many ways to go the extra mile with Water Mission. Consider coming alongside us, transforming lives by building health and hope. Visit watermission.org/get-involved to learn more.  

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