Sixth grader Mang Leab used to either drink directly from a dangerous and dirty pond or from rainwater stored in jars before his school in Cambodia received a filter from Samaritan’s Purse.
“Our teachers always warned us not to go to the pond at the school, because they worried that we might fall into the pond,” says Leab. “I remember one day I was thirsty and all my friends had no water left, so I decided to ask my teacher if I could go out. I went home and drank rainwater from my jug, but then I got scared to go back to school, because I was already late for my class.”
Samaritan’s Purse recently partnered with Kandaol Primary school to install a large BioSand filter, and the teachers and staff were trained to operate and maintain the filter. As part of the project, students are also taught good hygiene and sanitation practices during their school lessons.
“Now students have a positive attitude towards hygiene and sanitation practice, as well as drinking clean water,” says Lok Taing Im, a hygiene field officer with Samaritan’s Purse in Cambodia.
Leab said before the training, he and his friends had no idea how important safe water and good hygiene was for their health.
“I’m so glad that we have clean water from the filter for drinking,” Leab says. “I would like to give thanks to God and Samaritan’s Purse for providing the clean water to us. Now we do not worry about lacking drinking water anymore. I know that Jesus gives life, and clean water gives health.”
Your generous donation to Samaritan’s Purse’s water projects can help provide safe water for households, schools, and communities around the world. In 2018, safe water could be a reality for thousands more children just like Leab.
Save the life of a child or adult in a developing country by providing safe water along with health and hygiene education that will help protect them from deadly, but preventable, diseases. Simple and effective water filters, community wells and water storage solutions, and sanitation facilities can all drastically improve lives and open doors to share the eternal hope of Jesus Christ.