Something to Think About
In many parts of the United States, turning on the tap is a simple, everyday act that we rarely think twice about. The water flows easily, and for most of us, the idea that it might be unsafe is almost unthinkable. While some homes use additional filters, the convenience of clean water is a luxury we often take for granted.
But for Pelagie and her husband, Emmanuel, who live in rural Rwanda, access to clean water has been a constant challenge that directly affects their family’s health and well-being.
Pelagie and Emmanuel live in Rwanda’s Kagogo Sector of Burera, a remote area near the border with Uganda, close to the stunning but treacherous Lake Burera. The couple, along with their seven children, depend on farming to make a living. Unfortunately, in this remote part of Rwanda clean water has always been scarce. Most families in the area rely on two sources: drawing water from the lake or using paid taps. But both options come with serious downsides. The lake’s water is contaminated, while the cost of the paid taps is beyond the reach for many, including Pelagie and Emmanuel.
Difficult Choices
Pelagie remembers the daily hardship all too well, “We used to fetch water from Lake Burera, the only nearby source. The water was heavily contaminated, but we had no choice. We couldn’t afford firewood to boil it, and we didn’t even have enough pots to do so. As a result, we drank and cooked with the contaminated water, and it made my children sick. Frequent diarrhea was a common problem.”
Despite the toll on their health, Pelagie and Emmanuel tried to make do. After several hospital visits, doctors told Pelagie that boiling the water was essential to keeping her family healthy. She made the difficult decision to buy firewood and pay for water from the expensive taps, even though it stretched the family’s already limited budget. “It was difficult,” Pelagie recalls, “but my children’s safety was my priority.”
A Simple, Life Changing Gift
When the World Relief-20 Liters program arrived in their area, Pelagie and Emmanuel’s family were selected to receive a 20 Liters water filter. This simple, life-changing tool has made all the difference.
“Since we received the filter, our family no longer suffers from diarrhea like before,” Pelagie shares with relief. “The money I used to spend on firewood is now going toward buying fruits and eggs to help my children grow stronger and healthier.”
The filter has not only improved their health, but it’s also helped others in the community. Pelagie shares clean water with two neighboring families, creating a ripple effect of positive change. “We are so grateful,” she says. “I thank World Relief and 20 Liters for recognizing the needs of families like ours and helping us access clean water. The time we once spent in the hospital caring for sick children is now spent cultivating our land and improving our lives.”
For Pelagie and Emmanuel, access to clean water is more than a convenience – it’s a lifeline. The 20 Liters filter they received has had a profound impact, reducing health problems, freeing up time for productive work and bringing new hope to their family’s future. To World Relief and 20 Liters, Pelagie says, her voice filled with gratitude and hope, “May the Lord bless you abundantly.”
