Each year, more than two million lives—many of them children—are lost to waterborne diseases caused by unsafe water, according to the World Health Organization. The Salvation Army is helping transform communities through clean water projects. Here are two stories of how these efforts are bringing hope and renewal to those in need.

A NEW BEGINNING AT PHYU CHILDREN’S HOME

In the heart of Myanmar lies The Salvation Army’s Phyu Children’s Home, where children live and learn in a safe and nurturing environment. For years, the home relied on an old water tank supported by a deteriorating wooden structure. Over time, the structure became unsafe, threatening the children’s access to clean water for cooking, bathing and daily needs.

Determined to safeguard this essential resource, the Brighter Futures Children’s Sponsorship Program worked alongside the Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory to rebuild the water tower. The project replaced the aging wooden frame with a durable concrete and iron structure, ensuring stability and safety for years to come.

After seven months of construction, the new water tank was completed in January 2024. Today, the children and staff can rely on clean water from their upgraded system, which features two tanks with a combined capacity of 5,000 gallons.

“This project has been a blessing,” shares Captain Ciin Don Kim, home manager at Phyu. “The children are healthier and happier because we now have reliable, clean water for all our needs. We are so grateful to everyone who made this possible.”

A RIPPLE EFFECT OF CHANGE

While the Phyu Children’s Home celebrates this milestone, The Salvation Army’s mission to improve access to clean water continues. Across the globe, communities still face water challenges that affect health, education and quality of life.

In Zambia, The Salvation Army is making strides with the Petauke Community School ablution block project. This initiative addresses the critical need for safe sanitation facilities at a school serving more than 200 students.

Students at Petauke were relying on deteriorating pit latrines, posing potential health risks and discouraging school attendance, especially for the girls.

The new ablution block will provide flushable toilets and a clean, hygienic environment, creating a safer and more dignified space for learning.

CLEAN WATER, BRIGHT FUTURES

These projects are about more than water—they’re about life. Access to clean water and proper sanitation transforms communities, improves health and fosters educational opportunities. They align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure clean water and sanitation for all.

When children no longer worry about illness from contaminated water, they can focus on their education and dreams for the future. When families have access to safe sanitation, dignity and health follow.

As we mark World Water Day on March 22, we invite you to join us in creating ripples of hope. Your support through Gifts of Hope can fund projects such as these, bringing clean water and brighter futures to those in need. A new water tank for a children’s home. A hygienic bathroom for a community school. The gift of clean water means health, safety and the opportunity to thrive.

Visit salvationist.ca/gifts-of-hope to support life-changing projects and celebrate the power of clean water. Together, we can build a world where every child has the water they need to grow, learn and dream.

KYLE MANGIO is the resource and media co-ordinator in the international development department.

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