2021 Annual Report
Dear Friends,
In 2001, Water Mission was founded as a Christian engineering nonprofit. We started with two volunteers (Molly and me) and two full-time staff in Charleston, SC. Today, we are a global ministry with more than 400 staff and several hundred contract employees spread across 11 countries. Collectively, we have touched the lives of more than 7 million people through our work. Reflecting on the last 20 years, I am grateful for the radical generosity of people like you who have made this work possible. With this in mind and with a grateful heart, it is my privilege to share Water Mission’s 2021 Annual Report.
Because of friends like you, communities around the world have been transformed through access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions. As Water Mission continues to tackle the global water crisis, we reflect on our work with ministry partners, corporate partners, other nonprofits, and you to implement best-in-class WASH solutions that transform lives.
In 2020, Water Mission launched the Global Water Center as an independent nonprofit to transformationally scale the sector’s ability to bring an end to the global water crisis. You can read about its growth and impact in this year’s Annual Report. You’ll also learn about our disaster response efforts, stories of lives changed through access to safe water, and how we’re addressing spiritual needs in refugee communities and beyond.
Your generous support in 2021 enabled us to serve more than 1.4 million people with access to lifesaving WASH solutions. Our partnership is helping to build a firm foundation for the future, and we’re thankful for your continued support.
May God bless you,
George C. Greene III, PE, Ph.D.
Co-founder and Executive Chair
AN INTRODUCTION FROM THE CO-FOUNDER AND CEO
We are grateful for the opportunity to share the impact we made together in 2021. We celebrated our 20th anniversary this past year and are humbled by the Lord’s use of Water Mission to serve more than 7 million people around the world.
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“We have safe water here—the tap is just a few meters away. This has been very good for us because I have four kids and the water is safe. It tastes good! When we use the safe water, that sickness is gone and life is better.” – Oreni, Nyarugusu Refugee Camp, Tanzania
Since 2001, we have served more than 7,000,000 people in 57 countries.
GIVE SAFE WATER
2021 By the Numbers
1,400,000
PEOPLE SERVED
1,015,000
RECEIVED SAFE WATER
30,000
RECEIVED SANITATION SOLUTIONS including latrines
90,000
RECEIVED HYGIENE SOLUTIONS including training and handwashing stations
265,000
RECEIVED RELIEF FROM 10 DISASTERS
“I thank God that there are people who care about improving the quality of life for many people like me.” – Gaspar, Mexico
OPENING DOORS TO THE GOSPEL
When we began mobilizing local church leaders to raise awareness about upcoming Living Water activities in Chimbiya, Malawi, people already knew and trusted Water Mission. After equipping local church leaders, we held three Bible study workshops.
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SAFE WATER OPENS DOORS TO EDUCATION
Around the world, more than 443 million school days are missed every year because of the global water crisis. Girls’ educations are particularly affected. Access to safe water creates opportunities to transform lives.
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“We express our gratitude to donors who have given funds to Water Mission so that Water Mission can bless this village, and most importantly thank God for blessing us with this safe water.” – Yabes, Indonesia
HOPE FOR HAITI EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS
Our disaster response strategy goes far beyond short-term relief efforts. We not only provide immediate aid, but also implement long-term solutions that help communities better prepare for future disasters. Thanks to such long-term engagement and support from our partners, we were well-positioned to respond to a deadly magnitude 7.2 earthquake in Haiti this past August.
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Walk for Water
5,300
PEOPLE WALKED
15,000
MILES WALKED
$1,000,000
RAISED
HEALING FOR SOUTH SUDANESE REFUGEES
Rhino Camp in northern Uganda is one of the refugee settlements where Water Mission has built safe water and sanitation solutions. This year, we trained more than 100 Christian leaders as trauma healing facilitators in response to the influx of refugees resulting from the South Sudanese Civil War.
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“This [safe water] project improved the health of my family and neighbors.” – Onan, Honduras
GLOBAL WATER CENTER
In its first year, the Global Water Center deployed the Mobile Discovery Center to raise awareness and create advocates in cities around the United States through immersive, interactive activities. The traveling exhibit made 10 stops across the country, opening its doors to visitors in eight states within its first six months.
read more2021 Financials
Charity Navigator awarded Water Mission its top rating for the 17th consecutive year, a distinction shared by only one percent of charities rated by the organization.
Water Mission follows a model of biblical stewardship that recognizes God owns everything. He expects us to steward the time, talent, money, and influence we each have been given and to seek to multiply it to accomplish His purposes.