Four pieces of wood, a jug, and some rope—that’s all young Julio* needed to construct a simple way for him and his mom to wash their hands at home. By stepping on a stick, the jug tips, clean water from their new BioSand Water Filter spills out, and soapy hands are washed.
The structure is called a “tippy-tap.” It, along with larger community handwashing stations, is helping kids like Julio stay healthy.
What a blessing the gift of safe water has been for this young man growing up in rural El Salvador. There, gangs seek to recruit youth just like him, and dangerous, disease-ridden water makes daily life extremely difficult.
But generosity like yours is helping transform the lives of thousands.
With your support, our El Salvadorian partner is able to install 600 BioSand Water Filters in homes every year, along with one or two large filters at schools. We are also constructing community handwashing stations and latrines that improve the health of entire towns and villages.
Alongside this critical water, sanitation, and hygiene work, families also have an opportunity to attend a 12-week discipleship class where they learn about spiritual health and hear the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Julio and his mother, Ana,* attended the lessons together. And praise God, both graduated with newfound joy in their Savior.
At their graduation ceremony, Julio shared this memory verse: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20, ESV).
Through the water projects, “many children come to place their trust in the Lord and learn how to follow Him daily,” said our partner. “They experience His abundant life.”
At schools—where Canadian gifts provide clean water—our local partner usually walks with students through a course called, “My Life is So Much Better in Christ.” COVID-19 has limited that evangelistic work, but hundreds are still being reached with the Good News in communities—just like Julio and Ana.
“Ana explained how the whole family has been blessed—through receiving the filter to provide clean water, hygiene training to improve habits in the home, and a Biblical foundation in Christ and His Word,” our partner shared. “The family can enjoy life here on earth and eternally with our Lord!”
Proud of his tippy-tap, BioSand Water Filter, and equipped with a foundation of faith in Jesus, young Julio is setting an example for his loved ones and friends. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set…an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12, ESV).
Please pray for Julio and Ana—and for the opportunity to reach thousands of others with life-saving safe water in Jesus’ Name.
*Name changed
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.