Water Impact

Zambia is a land of hardships — blistering heat, dangerous animals, disease-carrying mosquitoes, rough terrain and unpredictable weather patterns — but few of these challenges compare with the trials poor families face as a result of insufficient or contaminated water.

In rural areas, a staggering 43.4% of people rely on inadequate sources of drinking water — typically contaminated streams, ponds or poorly constructed wells. This dirty water is often tainted with animal waste, parasites, bacteria and chemicals and is one of the reasons the life expectancy in Zambia is just 66 years.

This is why the communities within the Diocese of Chipata have made finding a solution to water scarcity their highest priority.

Fortunately, the Catholic Church in Zambia has been working hard to provide solutions, and in the past year alone, Caritas Chipata has been able to install 57 wells in rural villages throughout the diocese, as well as wash basins for laundry and animal troughs. Families also participated in training in well maintenance, health hygiene and sanitation.

Thanks to the compassion of friends like you, women and children no longer spend hours every morning fetching contaminated water. Instead, they have an abundant supply of clean water to use for drinking, washing and bathing. This has also given children the time, energy and health to go to school and pursue opportunities that will improve their lives — and to enjoy life!