In the rural Rachuonyo community of Kenya, access to clean water had long been a challenge. Women and children bore the burden of walking long distances every day to collect water from contaminated sources, exposing them to waterborne diseases and leaving little time for school or income-generating activities. Water scarcity also led to poor sanitation, frequent illness, and high school absenteeism.

Recognizing this urgent need, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM), in partnership with local churches, launched a community-led water project to provide a sustainable solution.

Access to clean water and improved sanitation can mean the difference between health and disease, thriving and struggling, and children staying in school or falling behind. So, what options exist for communities where every resident is affected by the lack of clean water or sanitation facilities? Too often, the answer is: none.

In India, this is a reality in many villages, including those located near South India Biblical Seminary. “These communities [suffered with] water scarcity and lack of sanitation and waste management systems,” explained a church leader.

In Malawi, new water wells, a key component of WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) compassionate ministry projects, are revitalizing communities and inspiring hope among congregations and their leaders.

“If you are not interested in the community, the community will not be interested in you,” says Christelle Bossina, national director of NCM for Cote D’Ivoire.

In the remote corners of Myanmar, the lack of access to clean water has been an arduous challenge for countless families. The journey to retrieve water from distant sources often stretches over many kilometers, leaving individuals grappling with the scarcity of this basic necessity.