The Fight for Clean Water Is Over

The Fight for Clean Water Is Over

In six rural villages of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, families once faced a daily struggle for water. Women like Kumane walked long distances only to return with empty cans.

Broken pipes delivered little more than muddy trickles, and fights often broke out as desperate mothers competed for every drop. Children and adults suffered constant sickness from drinking contaminated water, and women risked danger when they collected water late at night.

“About 15,000 of us live here. We didn’t drink safe water, and many suffered,” explained village chief Aboguone Jean-Pierre.

A clean water committee was formed and Samaritan’s Purse instructors taught about protecting ground water, good hygiene practises, and spring maintenance and repair.

God worked through Samaritan’s Purse to end this fight for survival. Our water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) teams worked with village leaders to build safe water points at six springs, provide latrines and handwashing stations at schools, and train local committees to protect and maintain these vital systems.

Now, clean water flows freely, illnesses have dropped, and peace has been restored. Women and girls no longer face dangerous walks because families can collect safe water close to home.

Reliable access to springs has provided an abundance of water and restored peace to six villages in Haut-Uele Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The project also opened doors for the Gospel. Many villagers received Bibles in their own languages, and some-like Motoba, a local leader-learned to read Scripture for the first time.

“When Samaritan’s Purse came here, they began opening our understanding concerning the Gospel,” he said. “We here did not know how to read the Gospels. As I am here, I did not know how to read the Bible well. But when Samaritan’s Purse came, I was taught, and they also taught me how to understand the Bible. That really gave us joy.” Motoba shared.

Today. Kumane, Motoba and thousands more can put the days of sickness and insecurity behind them, the fight for clean water is over. “Now there is a real change. We no longer drink contaminated water from streams, and recurring illnesses have reduced significantly,” Kumane said. “I personally suffered stomach aches and illness before, but now I am well. I thank Samaritan’s Purse for helping us. This is work we could never have done alone. We know it is God who gave them the means to help us, and we are grateful!”

This Christmas can bring the same hope and life-changing impact for a family or an entire village still waiting for clean water.