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Cross Catholic Blog
- March 2, 2021
Overflowing with Blessings: Clean Water for the Poor
Thousands of impoverished families in developing nations around the world rely on Cross Catholic Outreach to fulfill their basic need for clean, safe water. Our incredible contributors make this possible. Gifts from compassionate Christians like you enable us to dig wells in remote areas of the world, improve sanitation, provide maintenance training and improve people’s lives so they can deepen their faith in Christ.
Providing Water for Life in Kenya
Father Fabian Hevi
Good Samaritan Water Sanitation Services
“[Water] saves the lives of most of these children. It also helps the spirituality of the people, giving them time to go to church. Priests call thanking you, saying, ‘You can’t imagine how many people are attending Mass!’” – Fr. Fabian
In the East African country of Kenya, nearly one-third of the population — more than 17 million people — lack access to safe, adequate water sources. Water is commonly drawn from muddy streams or primitive hand-dug wells. Painful waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and bilharzia are a near-constant presence.
Over the course of six years, Cross Catholic Outreach collaborated with Fr. Fabian Hevi to complete water relief projects for 83,000 people in 27 villages throughout the Diocese of Lodwar in northern Kenya.
Now, we are helping Fr. Fabian’s nonprofit, Good Samaritan Water Sanitation Services, build water systems for villagers in southern Kenya. Through the generosity of our donors, the gift of water is bringing restoration and spiritual refreshment to entire communities.
Related: Living Water Flows from Lent
Addressing Water and Sanitation in Nicaragua
Suleima
Amigos for Christ
“I thank God for this opportunity. I asked God to put me in a place where I could be useful, and they put me here. I learned to love. To love the people. To love what God has given me.” – Suleima
Poor, rural families in Nicaragua lack basic water and sanitation infrastructure. Primitive pit latrines leak pollutants into the water supply causing adults and children to suffer from thirst, dehydration and waterborne illnesses, such as bacterial diarrhea — a leading cause of death for children under 5.
One of our long-time ministry partners in Nicaragua, Amigos for Christ, is working to provide clean water and sanitation — the first steps of a holistic, sustainable transformation strategy.
The ministry employs locals as “promoters” to visit families and learn their needs, stimulate interest in water and sanitation projects, and educate them on health and hygiene issues critical to their well-being. Suleima is one those dedicated promoters who ensures that the community relationship with Amigos for Christ remains strong.
Suleima’s work continues long after the water systems and modern bathrooms are installed. In her role, she will work with beneficiaries and their families to ensure lasting change occurs.
Transforming Lives Through Clean Water in Haiti
Job Marthy
Kobonal Haiti Mission
“Collecting water is a complicated situation for older people. You have to fight to get water from the spring. It also causes many diseases. I’m old and cannot fight. Now I have water and I am thankful.” – Job Marthy
In Kobonal, Haiti, Cross Catholic Outreach is working with Fr. Glenn Meaux and the Kobonal Haiti Mission to bring clean water to vulnerable communities. Hand-pump-operated wells are professionally drilled on land donated by participants, then secured in lockable concrete structures to ensure longevity.
Over the years, the Kobonal Haiti Mission has installed more than 33 hand-pump community wells, providing clean water to poor families that had been relying on dirty groundwater. Job Marthy is one of the many Kobonal villagers whose life has been transformed by a new community well.
Related: One Family’s Quest for Water
Donate to Provide Clean Water
Quenching Thirst in Christ’s Name
Within the past year, Cross Catholic Outreach donors helped fund the construction and repairs of 49 community water systems worldwide — providing 63,438 people with clean, abundant water.
Thanks to supporters like you — who recognize the challenges created by the world water crisis and take decisive action — Church missions in the developing world are able to meet the needs of the vulnerable.
There can be no life without water. Seize this opportunity to change lives in a miraculous way. Bring clean water and safe sanitation to poor communities worldwide.
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Proceeds from this campaign will be used to cover any expenditures incurred through June 30, 2023, the close of our ministry’s fiscal year. In the event that more funds are raised than needed to fully fund the project, the excess funds, if any, will be used to meet the most urgent needs of the ministry.