The Impact of Philanthropy: The Best Gift This Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time for giving — a time to show love, spread kindness, and share joy. 

But what if your gift could do more? What if it could transform lives, bring health, and offer hope not just for today, but for generations to come? 

This holiday season, the gift of clean water is the best gift you can give.

A Gift That Keeps on Giving

For approximately 403 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, access to clean water is still a dream. Every day, families face the harsh realities of drinking unsafe water, walking hours to fetch it, and living with illnesses caused by contamination. These challenges steal time, opportunity, and hope.

But clean water changes everything. Clean water means children can spend their days in school, not on long walks to distant water sources. It means families are healthier, free from waterborne diseases. It means women can invest their time and energy into building brighter futures for their families.

One example of a gift making a world of difference was for Nduni and her community in Kenya. Before the new sand dam and well, Nduni would walk for hours to fetch water from unreliable, contaminated scoop holes — a task that left her drained and sick. 

“Water was scarce, and the dirty water often made us sick with stomachaches and typhoid,” she shared.

But one year later, thanks to a reliable well and someone’s incredibly generous gift, Nduni’s life has changed. 

“I like that fetching water here is so much easier and faster. The water is clean and safe to drink, so I don’t have to worry about getting sick,” she said.

Having clean water close to home has restored Nduni’s health, saved her time, and allowed her to focus on her farm and her future. 

“I feel stronger and more energized, and I spend less money on medicine,” Nduni said. “The clean water has made such a big difference in my life.”

And Nduni isn’t the only one whose life is unrecognizable thanks to clean water.

Before clean water arrived, Melvin faced long lines at a contaminated spring, wasting hours and missing school. 

“We used to line up with adults, and they would fetch water before us even if they came later,” Melvin recalled. 

Even worse: the dirty water caused frequent illnesses, leaving Melvin and her friends sidelined from community activities.

Now, though, life is different. 

“We have no stress; we are sure of clean water every day,” Melvin said. 

With water close by and safe to drink, Melvin’s health has improved, and she has time to focus on her schoolwork and family. 

“My performance has improved, and I use the time saved to bond with my mum. I am learning a lot from her on how to be a woman of substance.”

Our hope for Melvin is that she grows to take water for granted just like we do. Someday, she may barely remember the days of getting sick and wasting time waiting for water.

Water’s impact extends beyond just individuals. It ripples through entire communities, unlocking opportunities and restoring hope. 

Mwende’s story is another beautiful example of how clean water transforms lives. 

Mwende once spent hours walking to fetch water from contaminated scoop holes, which often caused illness. 

“The previous waterpoints were far away, and I would spend more than an hour fetching water,” Mwende explained.

Now, life is different. Since receiving a new sand dam and shallow well this time last year, she and the Kithalani Community, which has 800 residents, have had clean, reliable water. 

“This waterpoint is very close to my home, and I am able to get clean drinking water for my family. This waterpoint has really helped us, and we are even using the water to irrigate our kitchen gardens at home and the group tree nursery,” said Mwende.

“We no longer walk several kilometers searching for water because this waterpoint is nearby. Fetching water now only takes a few minutes,” Mwende shared. 

With reliable water, Mwende’s family stays healthy, and she has time to focus on improving her livelihood. 

“We can even make bricks for construction and care for our group tree nursery. I want to nurture my own tree nursery to sell seedlings and improve my life.”

Clean water doesn’t just meet immediate needs — it opens the door to opportunity, health, and hope.

Give the Gift of Health and Hope

The holidays are about coming together to make the world a little brighter. This year, let’s give more than we receive. 

A Water Project eGift card is a heartfelt gift that allows your loved ones to choose where they can make an impact. It’s a chance for them to help fund a water project and health and sanitation training — and feel the warmth of knowing they made a difference.

When you give the gift of clean water through The Water Project, you become part of a story that lasts a lifetime. Your generosity funds water projects that serve entire communities. But your impact doesn’t stop at construction. Ongoing training, maintenance, and monitoring ensure that every water project remains reliable and sustainable, year after year.

Clean water strengthens communities and transforms futures. Where water flows, hope grows.

When you choose to give water, you’re building a future where every child has the chance to dream, grow, and thrive. And that, truly, is the best gift of all.

Will you join us in sharing the gift that keeps on giving this holiday season?

Home More Like This

---

Tweet