Safe Water Protects Babies From Illnesses

Despite differences in culture, language, and religion, mothers worldwide can agree that babies are precious and should be protected. Dulce lives in the coastal community of El Fortín, Mexico. We interviewed Dulce when she was six months pregnant with her first child. 

“I am a little nervous because this is my first baby,” Dulce admitted shyly. 

Not only was Dulce nervous about all the unfamiliar challenges that come with being a new mother, but she was also nervous because of the lack of access to safe water in her community.  

“We have a surface well at our house,” she explained. “Most of the houses have a surface well, but we know the water is contaminated.” 

The fishers and farmers of El Fortín use their well water to wash dishes and clothes, bathe, and prepare food. They often purchased bottled water for drinking, an expense few families could comfortably afford. Even bottled water could be unsafe, containing the occasional worm. 

An estimated 1.4 million people die from unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) each year. Children under five are the most at risk, meaning mothers and children are often the most affected by their communities’ lack of safe water. 

Dulce had reason to be nervous about raising her baby in a community without safe water, having seen so many children get sick with skin and stomach infections from consuming the water. 

“Many children have died from the water,” Dulce said. “I know one person whose baby got sick, and they couldn’t take it to the doctor immediately, and their baby died. The baby was only four days old.” 

Dulce wants the best for her baby, and that includes safe water. 

“[Safe water] is very important for us now that I will have a baby,” she said. “I know that newborn babies are very delicate.” 

When we spoke to Dulce, a safe water project was underway in El Fortín. Dulce and her family were excited in anticipation of the project. 

“I think this safe water project is going to be a great benefit for everyone,” Dulce said. “It will help the health of the families here.” 

Thanks to the generosity of partners like you, Water Mission finished the project in 2024. We installed a safe water solution and built latrines for safer sanitation for the people in El Fortín. The safe water project provides water for all men, women, and children in the community.

Dulce and her family could not have safe water without the support of those whom the Lord leads to give financially to help people in need. She said that if she could thank Water Mission’s supporters, “I would tell [the] donors thank you for investing in our community.” 

By giving to Water Mission, you are investing in communities like El Fortín, providing pregnant mothers like Dulce with the opportunity to protect their babies from unsafe water. This month, you can impact twice as many people, thanks to a $20,000 challenge gift from the Esse Quam Videri Foundation.