Lent Appeal
Clean water saves lives
Every two seconds, a woman gives birth in a health centre without clean water, decent toilets or good hygiene.
Every two minutes, a child under five dies from diarrhoea caused by dirty water.
Having a baby comes with a million worries. Clean water shouldn't be one of them. Help us change this reality for thousands of pregnant women across the world.
Motherhood with dirty water
In the heat of the midday sun, expectant mum Mastewal turns on a tap and pours her five-year-old son a glass of clean, fresh water. Mastewal lives in the community of Ambomesk, Ethiopia, where a new water system supplies every family with clean water whenever they need it.
Life for this 26-year-old loving mother hasn't always been easy. When Mastewal's first baby was born, there was no clean water in Ambomesk. She would walk to collect water from a far away river, while carrying her baby. The long journey meant that the water had to be used sparingly.
The water was not treated. My baby used to get sick from the water. That was hard.
A new life for the next generation
Today in Ambomesk, water is now tapped at its source, pumped to a storage tank where it is treated, and then piped to nine community tap stands. Mastewal only has to walk across the road to get clean water from a tap – a change that is transforming her experience of pregnancy, and the future for her family.
This time it's very different, praise God. Now the water is treated and it has come very close to our place. Our health has improved a lot. We collect as much water as we need, we are able to wash our clothes and we are able to take a bath any time we like.
In just four months' time, Mastewal will welcome a new baby into her family. And in sharp contrast to her experience a few years ago, she won't have to worry about bathing her tiny newborn in dirty water. Washing dirty clothes and blankets will be easier. As her baby grows older, she'll be able to give them clean water to drink, without fearing sickness.
Without long journeys to the river, Mastewal will have more time to devote to her family.
I think my second baby is lucky to have clean water. I am happy about the availability of clean water and I believe it will make my children healthy.
Take the next step
How to pay in your fundraising
The quickest and easiest way to raise money is by setting up a JustGiving page, and asking your friends and family to donate there.
If you'd rather collect cash, you can pay in your fundraising online, or give our Supporter Care team a call on 020 7793 4594 – they'll be happy to help!