In the Gahanga Sector of Rwanda, the Communauté des Sœurs du Petit Enfant Jésus, a dedicated convent of nuns, has been caring for some of the most vulnerable in their community – 80 orphans who have lost both of their parents. Since 2012, their mission has been supported by a life-changing gift: a 20 Liters water filter, which provides access to clean drinking water for both the orphans and the surrounding community.
Before the installation of the water filter, the sisters faced the daunting task of securing clean water. To provide for those in their care, they needed a vehicle to fetch water, a process that took an hour each time and came with a hefty price tag. In addition to the financial strain, they also had to purchase wood to boil the water, further depleting their already limited resources.
The introduction of the 20 Liters water filter brought about more than just access to clean water – it transformed the way the nuns were able to support those in their care. No longer needing to spend time or money fetching water or boiling it, they were able to redirect these resources to purchasing firewood for cooking nutritious meals for the children. This shift allowed the sisters to better care for the orphans, ensuring they received both clean water and nourishing food, giving them a stronger start in life.
Sister Louise, one of the nuns, shared the profound impact this change has had not only on the orphans but also on the surrounding community. She explained that while Rwanda has been transitioning away from orphanages, encouraging family-based care – whether biological, fostered or adopted – these children continue to visit the nuns and benefit from the clean water system. The filter now serves not just the orphans, but also the local choir and the families in the village, who come weekly with their own jerrycans to collect water.
Reflecting on the long-term impact, Sister Louise expressed heartfelt gratitude, “We are truly thankful to World Relief and 20 Liters for this remarkable initiative. Even after 13 years, this filter continues to serve our community. We pray that God blesses them and multiplies those blessings a hundredfold.”
This water filter is more than just a tool for hydration – it represents a sustainable solution that continues to uplift a community long after it was first introduced. What began as a simple way to help the sisters live out their faith so they could take better care of the orphans has since become a vital lifeline for many in the area. Today, it provides reliable access to clean water and supports the well-being of not only the orphans but the entire community.
