“Water, water everywhere, only if we share” was this year’s theme for World Water Day, recognized internationally on March 22^nd. The Salesians are taking those words to heart as we deliver life-saving water supplies to impoverished communities.

In the African village of Kong, Togo, families were desperate for a safe water supply for drinking and farming. They were eager to help with the labor but knew they only had a short time before children would become dehydrated and crops would be in jeopardy.

The Salesians, led by Fr. Antonio Gutierrez, responded to the crisis and immediately organized four teams of willing residents who began digging wells and an irrigation system.

They started on a Tuesday and by Thursday, water was flowing at two sites. The other two sites were distributing water by Friday.

What normally would have taken weeks to accomplish, was completed in just three days, thanks to the hard work of many people who joined together to help.

Throughout the world, the Salesians are engaged in hundreds of projects aimed at providing sustainable sources of safe, clean water. For children and families at risk of dehydration, disease and starvation, each project can spare the lives of dozens, hundreds or even thousands of suffering people.

Click here to read about more life-saving water projects by the Salesians.

783 million people do not have access to clean water and almost 2.5 billion do not have access to adequate sanitation. Your gift today provides essential funding for vital Salesian projects – including those that create safe water supplies to desperate communities. Thank you for helping us respond to this global crisis.