Support our Christmas appeal
If you supported our Water Means Life appeal this Christmas, thank you!
Please don't forget to send us any donations or money you raised.
Pay in your fundraising online
You can also download a donation form (PDF) and post us a cheque, or give our Supporter Care team a call on 020 7793 4594 – they'll be happy to help!
Water Means Life
A quarter of all healthcare facilities around the world have no basic water facilities.
Without this essential resource, there's no way for medics to wash their hands between patients. No way for staff to clean wards or equipment. And no way of keeping life-threatening infections at bay.
Welcome to Napacala health centre
A tiny, two-room building, the clinic serves thousands of people from across the remote district of Cuamba, northern Mozambique.
The close-knit team here may be small, but everyone is skilled, hard-working, and totally committed to supporting the communities who rely on the centre.
There's just one thing holding them back: the only source of water is an old outdoor well, shared not only with neighbouring households, but animals too. No matter how dedicated they are, the reality is that without clean water, their every effort to heal risks bringing real harm.
“It’s very tiring carrying water... It's not easy”
Nurse Maria knows that clean water won’t only help keep her patients safe and healthy, but will also allow her to spend more time focusing on providing the best possible care – and, in future, could see the small clinic expand to reach even more people.
“Our biggest problem here is a lack of water”
Starting work at the crack of dawn, Manuel, the centre's sole cleaner, goes above and beyond to support his colleagues and their patients – but doing laundry, washing floors and sterilising equipment is tough without taps.
“We gave him a name which means ‘leave the baby with us this time’”
Having lived here her whole life, Matilde knows only too well the difficulties her community faces without water. Heartbreakingly, she’s lost three children – but hopes for a brighter future for her family, for the clinic, and for Napacala.
The difference your group will make
Clean water on tap. It sounds simple, because it is. But its impact is transformational – and life-saving.
Last year, work finished on a similar project in the neighbouring district of Mecanhelas. Now they have running water, staff here can wash their hands, keep the wards clean, and provide safer care for their patients.
With your group’s support, we’ll work with key partners – health centre staff, community groups, and local leaders – to bring the same transformation to more clinics, both here in Mozambique and around the world.
We’ll lay new pipes, and upgrade existing handpumps to solar-powered systems. We’ll build sanitary blocks, and install permanent handwashing facilities. And we’ll support communities to understand – and fight for – their rights to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.
£137
could help pay to carry out water quality testing.
could help pay to carry out water quality testing.
£252
could help pay for 120 50mm pipes.
could help pay for 120 50mm pipes.
£364
could help pay for two ramps for wheelchair users.
could help pay for two ramps for wheelchair users.
Fundraising resources
Use these resources to learn more about the difference clean water makes, and inspire your group to take part in our Water Means Life appeal this Christmas.