Water is the essence of life, clean water that is. But for millions living in rural, remote villages in sub-Saharan African countries having access to safe water for drinking, cooking, bathing and washing is the exception, not the rule, as most must risk their lives daily collecting water from unsafe, unprotected sources frequently contaminated by parasites and waterborne diseases such cholera and Typhoid fever.

At Bread and Water for Africa® we believe that nothing is more important for African children than having a reliable source of clean water to meet their immediate needs each day.

That’s why during the past year, thanks to our supporters, we were able to complete 42 clean water projects in sub-Saharan Africa benefiting more than 150,000 individuals.

For example, in Ethiopia, two water well projects, at the Beke Health Center and Harbu Clinic, are today serving more than 90,000 individuals. In Malawi, seven water well projects serving 1,815 households were completed. In Tanzania, 20 nonfunctioning water wells were repaired and are now serving 34,893 individuals. In Uganda, 12 spring protection site projects were completed currently serving 3,600 households.

Also this year, we began construction on a water well project at the Taninnahu Health Center which is projected to start serving more than 4,500 individuals by next spring.

“The rehabilitation of water wells and the availability of clean water in the five villages in the Muleba District has brought a transformative change in the health, sanitation, hygiene and livelihoods of the residents,” reported Bread and Water for Africa® partner Richard Bataringaya, founder and executive director of Action for Ngono Basin Reforestation in Tanzania.

And at Bread and Water for Africa® that is exactly the type of result we like to hear, and do hear over and over again year after year from our grateful partners speaking on the behalf of thousands of beneficiaries who now because of our generous supporters can fill a cup with water and enjoy a cool refreshing drink without worry.