GIVE A
LIFE-SAVING
WATER FILTER
Meeting Urgent Needs for Safe Water in Ethiopia
Letter from Franklin Graham
Dear Friend,
God said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts” (Revelation 21:6).
Samaritan’s Purse exists to bring “the water of life” to those who thirst for God. We do this by sharing the hope of the Gospel with people in desperate need—the poor, the sick, the suffering—wherever we find them. Our ministry is all about Jesus—the “living water” (John 4:10).
In Ethiopia, many people are suffering. Over 60 million don’t have safe water to drink. That’s about half of the country’s population. Most families in rural areas get their water from contaminated rivers, ponds, or wells. Waterborne illnesses, such as typhoid and cholera, quickly spread through the filth—and they can kill. Children are especially at risk.
Samaritan’s Purse Canada is preparing to install 5,000 BioSand Water Filters in Ethiopia this year. Over the past 25 years, we have installed over 28,000 filters throughout the country, giving parents and their children access to clean drinking water.
The filters not only provide life-sustaining water but open doors for our Christian partners to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Gimbaru (pictured above) is one of the Ethiopian men we helped. His family often became sick from drinking dirty water from a nearby river. But since he received a BioSand Filter from Samaritan’s Purse, they have been healthy. “This makes me very happy,” he said, “to see my boy having safe water to drink.”
I encourage you to continue reading and see how God blessed Gimbaru and his family. And thank you for your prayers and support as we serve families in Ethiopia and around the world in Jesus’ Name.
Sincerely,
Franklin Graham
The Canadian-invented BioSand Water Filter uses layers of locally available sand and gravel, along with a naturally occurring layer of microorganisms, to remove deadly bacteria, parasites, and other contaminants from drinking water.
A WATER FILTER OPENS DOORS TO PLANT A CHURCH
Gimbaru and Belaynesh’s journey for water starts with a long trek down a rough valley trail. On many days, they smell the river below before they see it. “The river is very disgusting,” Gimbaru told us. “Also, animals drink from there.”
Once they’ve filled their jerry cans with the murky liquid, the hard part of the couple’s trip begins. They haul the heavy containers—usually 40 or more liters—back up the slope to their small home in southwestern Ethiopia.
Yet, after all that work, the water Gimbaru and Belaynesh have for their five children often brings sickness and pain. “My son and I were frequently affected by water-related diseases, especially cholera, giardiasis, and malaria,” Gimbaru said.
“The hospitals ask for more money than we can afford. When I see my son so sick, it makes me very scared,” he continued. “I remember saying, ‘God, let my son be saved or let me be the one to die.’”
We thank God that Gimbaru’s son survived, but still the family lived under threat from the water they drank.
Then, seven years ago, a BioSand Water Filter arrived in their home thanks to a friend like you. “I am very happy to use this BioSand Filter to clean my water,” Gimbaru shared.
The Canadian-invented filter uses layers of locally available sand and gravel, along with a naturally occurring layer of microorganisms, to remove deadly bacteria, parasites, and other contaminants from drinking water.
“My little boy goes and drinks this safe water from the BioSand without any challenges,” Gimbaru said. “This makes me very happy to see my boy having safe water to drink.”
As a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, Gimbaru knew this blessing was not for him alone. He wanted to be a part of the work Samaritan’s Purse Canada was doing with local churches to install filters throughout the region.
“THIS IS LOVE THAT WE LEARNED FROM CHRIST.”
With no church in his village, Gimbaru helped our team bring filters to more than 60 of his neighbors. “I believe that this is the meaning that I exist here. I have to support others. This is love that we learned from Christ. I have to show love to my neighbors,” he told us.
The water filters have made such a significant difference in the health of Gimbaru’s village that the local government set aside land for a church building. This is extraordinary in a region where believers are often persecuted for their faith in the Lord.
“My goal is that every neighbor believes in Christ. My dream is to have a big church building to fill with people. I have been blessed with this to bless others,” Gimbaru proclaimed.
The need for safe water in Ethiopia is great. The need for “the water of life” that Jesus offers is even greater. In 2026, Samaritan’s Purse Canada is working with 50 churches to install 5,000 life-saving BioSand Water Filters in Jesus’ Name. Will you join us in meeting this urgent need?
Water Filters Save Lives
Since 1998, Samaritan’s Purse has installed water filters at over 500 schools and in more than 300,000 homes. As we work with local churches to share the gift of safe water, God opens doors to share about the “living water” (John 4:10) Jesus gives.
- The Canadian-invented BioSand Water Filter uses layers of sand, gravel, and naturally occurring micro-organisms to remove bacteria and parasites that make people sick.
- The filters require no electricity and are simple for families to maintain.
- The BioSand Filter can reduce bacteria by 95 percent and turbidity (cloudiness) by 85 percent.
- Filters installed decades ago still produce safe water today! Families also receive hygiene training to help create a healthy home.
- Samaritan’s Purse also drills wells, builds reservoirs, and installs other types of filters.
Your Gift Transforms Lives
PROTECT A FAMILY LIKE GIMBARU’S AND OPEN DOORS FOR THE GOSPEL
$25 Provides safe water for 1 child, protecting them from deadly waterborne diseases. 
$175 Provides a life-saving water filter for 1 family, giving them access to decades of clean water. 
$50/mo Reaches 24 children each year with safe water.
You can help in Jesus’ Name.
WHY CHOOSE SAMARITAN'S PURSE?
Immediate Response
Our teams are often first on the ground in crises with a mission to reduce suffering, save lives, and share the hope of the Gospel where it’s needed most.
Global Reach
We serve in over 100 countries, partnering with local churches to meet urgent needs, including food, safe water, protection, and medical care in Jesus’ Name.
Gospel Focus
Wherever we go, we thank God for the opportunities to share the hope of the Gospel. Our ministry is all about Jesus—first, last, and always.
STEWARDING YOUR GIFTS WITH INTEGRITY
Samaritan's Purse Canada is committed to the highest standards of financial integrity and transparency.
Where your donation goes
- ■ 90% Ministry
- ■ 7.5% General Administration
- ■ 2.5% Donor Education & Fundraising
- (Average annual spending allocations over past 5 years)
Financial Accountability
Canada Revenue Agency registration #
BN 11913 8527 RR0001
Samaritan's Purse Canada is audited annually by an independent public accounting firm, and our financial statement is available upon request. Occasionally we receive more contributions for a given project than can wisely be applied to that project. When this happens, we use these funds to meet a similar pressing need as directed by our Board. Please visit our Annual Report and Financial Accountability page to learn more.
International Giving
If you're not in Canada, you can give through one of our worldwide offices. Each office works toward the same goal of taking the love of Jesus Christ to victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, and disease.
