World Water Day 2025: “Without Water, We Would Not Survive”
Since 2001, Water Mission has partnered with communities around the world to bring safe water to men, women, and children who lack it. More than 2 billion people still do not have water near their homes that is clean and safe to drink. But there is a solution, and we believe the global water crisis can be ended.
This is why we honor World Water Day every year on March 22. This World Water Day, we aim to inspire action by highlighting the global water crisis and partnering with passionate people like you to work toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6—ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Water is life. While we often take it for granted, many people do not have it, making it difficult to experience economic opportunities, health, and joy.
Water Builds Economic Opportunity
Like many proud parents, Cindy decorates the walls of her house with her children’s artwork and school awards, working hard to make a comfortable home for her family. She lives in Republica Alemania, Honduras, with her three children, husband, two brothers, and mother.
Unfortunately, many families have left Republica Alemania due to the lack of water, meaning Cindy’s children no longer have friends to play with after school. The family lives off only her husband’s salary, as it is difficult for Cindy’s brothers to find work. Their little money is used for necessities like food and water.
An estimated 70-80% of jobs in middle and low-income countries depend on water.
Cindy walks on foot to collect water from a neighboring community’s public tap, but she knows this water is not safe for consumption.
“We can't use [tap water] to cook or to drink,” Cindy says, “because it's not clean water. We basically use it to do the laundry and the housework [and for] the bathroom.”
The tap water in Cindy’s community is unsafe and can cause water-related illnesses. Cindy only uses it for housework, such as washing dishes.
To drink, Cindy’s family buys bottled water, which strains their finances. In Honduras, 13% of the population lives on less than $2.15 per day, according to World Bank.
“When we can, we buy three [bottles of water],” Cindy says. “And when we can't, we just buy one…. It's a big impact because our financial situation is not very good.”
Cindy says that if her family had safe water in their community, she would use the money they saved from not buying bottled water to buy more food for her children. “It's money that would be used to buy food more than anything,” she shares.
Lourdes is Cindy’s neighbor in Republica Alemania. Lourdes, Cindy, and other women in the community walk to collect water from a nearby town’s public tap.
Water Builds Health
If Cindy had the money to buy more food with better nutrients for her children, they would have the opportunity to be healthier and more active. But right now, her children don’t have the nutrients to grow as they should.
Cindy’s twin sons, Victor and Christian, enjoy playing soccer, but their energy is so depleted when they get home from school that they just want to sleep. They lack the proper food and water to regain energy after a long day.
“The water [does] not [supply] the supplement that is needed for the children–for the growth of a child,” Cindy says solemnly.
Also, because they know their tap water is contaminated, Cindy fears her children consuming it, knowing that even the smallest amount could result in a water-related illness.
One person dies every 37 seconds from a water-related illness.
Although Cindy’s family refrains from drinking the contaminated tap water, they store it in their pila, a large stone sink, and use it for washing dishes and clothes.
Water Builds Joy
Thankfully, Cindy will not have to wait much longer for access to safe water. Water Mission is installing a solar-powered safe water project in Republica Alemania. When it is finished, safe water will be piped directly into each home in the community. The project is scheduled to finish in the summer of 2025.
“[The safe water project] would have a good impact because water is a vital liquid for all human beings at a global level,” Cindy says. “We, as human beings, can survive without electricity, but without water, we would not survive.”
Cindy shares that once she has safe water in her home, she and her children “could consume it ourselves, safely, without fear of stomach diseases,” fostering joy and peace in her home.
Given first-time access to safe water in Honduras since 1998
Of the population in Honduras lacks access to safe water
Cindy’s community will receive safe water in the summer of 2025. Her family will then have safe water piped directly into their home.
As Cindy said, we cannot survive without water. World Water Day is an annual reminder that millions of families like Cindy’s struggle to have enough water to get through the day, much less safe water.
This World Water Day, partner with us to bring safe water to families like Cindy’s around the world. Your generosity can bring joy and save lives.
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