The Problem
Access to clean drinking water is a luxury I often take for granted. In many other places though, it is a challenging effort to obtain clean drinking water, if it’s available at all.
This post will show you how you can help provide clean drinking water in Africa.
First, here is some information on why it’s important. Statistics vary, but the World Health Organization compiled some information:
- Over 2 billion people live in water-stressed countries, which is expected to be exacerbated in some regions as result of climate change and population growth.
- Globally, at least 2 billion people use a drinking water source contaminated with feces. Microbial contamination of drinking-water as a result of contamination with feces poses the greatest risk to drinking-water safety.
- While the most important chemical risks in drinking water arise from arsenic, fluoride or nitrate, emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and microplastics generate public concern.
- Safe and sufficient water facilitates the practice of hygiene, which is a key measure to prevent not only diarrheal diseases, but acute respiratory infections and numerous neglected tropical diseases.
- Microbiologically contaminated drinking water can transmit diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid and polio and is estimated to cause 485 000 diarrheal deaths each year.
- In 2020, 74% of the global population (5.8 billion people) used a safely managed drinking-water service – that is, one located on premises, available when needed, and free from contamination.
Some estimates state that, globally, a child dies every two minutes from a water related disease. Estimates vary widely, but it is safe to state that unsafe drinking water conditions impact millions each.
The problem is very real. What can we do?
The Marion Medical Mission: Helping provide clean drinking water
I first heard of the Marion Medical Mission on a retreat I completed last fall. We were discussing works of charity and somehow the topic of building drinking water wells came up. We discussed a couple of organizations, most of which asked for way north of $1,000 to help build wells to supply clean drinking water in other countries. No doubt they do good work but it was a hefty price tag.
The Father leading the retreat mentioned Marion Medical Mission who advertised that they could build a fully functioning well for $450. This amount is not nothing by any stretch but it is the most affordable program I’ve been able to find. The organization also looks to have a method in place to help the local people using the well sustain it themselves.
They keep their overhead costs very low and every dollar donated goes where it has been designated.
Will you help provide clean drinking water?
To find out more information about the Marion Medical Mission, please visit their site. They also support several other great initiatives.
If you are interested in providing monetary support via donations, please click here! Any amount helps.
If you are interested in helping in other ways, such as organizing a fundraiser, volunteering, or even possibly going on a trip, please click here.
There are also plenty of other great organizations out there. I gravitate towards this one because it seems like they use any donated funds efficiently and a relatively little amount goes a long way in making a meaningful impact in the communities they help serve with supplying clean water. Good financial stewardship is part of the Catholic way.
