GUATEMALA – While many 13-year-old girls might spend their afternoons focused on school, friends, or playing sports, Graciela’s daily routine was very different. Her story shows the lifesaving impact of a clean water solution for life, which transformed her family’s daily struggle into a story of hope.
She had a challenging responsibility—to help gather water for her family. Her mother is a widow and works long hours picking coffee beans, so the responsibility of making sure the family has water often falls on Graciela.
“We have to walk twice a day, every day, to a small pond in the mountains,” said Graciela.
A Clean Water Solution for Life and the End of Exhausting Treks
Each time Graciela journeyed to get water, she had to trek through a dense forest and up a mountain. With the danger of snakes, scorpions, and other frightening animals lurking on every footpath, she bravely continued while also fighting fatigue. Unfortunately, the water that she retrieved was also a danger—to her and her family’s health.
“It’s rusty and the flavor is like mud. I don’t like to drink that water.”
There were times when Graciela and her siblings became sick with stomachaches, and sadly, they had to suffer because their mom didn’t have enough money to buy any medicine.
Thankfully, friends like you helped turn the situation around for Graciela and her community. Your outpouring of kindness helped us provide a clean water solution for life that now brings safe water right to their homes.
4,000 Gallons of Fresh Safe Water in a New Water Tank
Thanks to generous friends like you, we built a water tank that holds nearly 4,000 gallons of water. The tank also disinfects the water, so that Graciela’s family and neighbors no longer have to risk becoming sick just so they don’t go thirsty.
Thank you for this abundant blessing that changed Graciela’s life along with so many others, including adults who had never enjoyed clean water before. This clean water solution for life ensures that children like Graciela can now study, play, and grow healthy without the fear of unsafe water.
“I am happy that I no longer have to walk to that pond,” she said with relief. “The water tastes delicious, and I feel very happy.”
