Access to clean water is a fundamental human right, yet millions of people around the world, especially in developing countries, struggle daily to secure safe drinking water. For children like Angel (14) and her classmates in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the school days used to be very long because their school lacked consistent access to clean water. That meant hours of feeling thirsty, dirty after PE class, and nowhere to use the bathroom. The uncertainty created anxiety around their education.
Now access to clean water has transformed Angel’s life. Thanks to a new water connection at their school, the children’s days are more predictable and enjoyable. “I thank God very much for thinking of us for this water. [Before], we had to contain our needs until the end of the school day, which was very difficult for us. Today, the water is permanent in the school, and we use it when we need it,” Angel says. Because clean water is readily available, they no longer endure thirst, discomfort, or anxiety at school.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a country plagued by waterborne diseases and limited access to clean water, Covenant Kids Congo powered by World Vision is making a profound impact through its Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs, achieving remarkable, life-changing outcomes over the years in transforming the lives of children and their families.
Since 2017, the percentage of households with access to basic drinking water facilities has risen from 16% to an impressive 59% in 2022. Even more significant is the 26% reduction in the number of community members suffering from and reporting diarrheal illnesses in just one year, dropping from 18,364 cases in 2021 to 13,617 in 2022.
These remarkable results are due to various initiatives, including the construction of small, mechanized boreholes with multiple taps, the connection of schools and health centers to drinking water networks, and community-based water treatment and storage training. Projects like these have facilitated access to safe water for thousands of people, including students, families, and entire communities.
But the impact goes beyond clean water access; it also extends to improving hygiene and sanitation practices. In the areas where we work, the number of households using basic sanitation facilities has risen 25%, benefiting more than 25,000 individuals. Community members actively participate in these efforts by manufacturing handwashing stations, installing handwashing devices, building household latrines, and collaborating on development activities. They work together to ensure that everyone has access to clean water and improved sanitation.
This Advent, we invite you to be part of the transformation happening in DR Congo. Through a CovCares gift of clean water, your support can make a significant impact in improving sanitation and changing lives in the DRC. Together, we can make a difference, fostering healthier communities and brighter futures for countless children and families.
