Thirst for change
It is 5am and Esther hasn’t slept. She has been up queuing for water.
Three nights a week, Esther lies awake, listening for the splash of water on concrete. This is her cue to run from her bed and get in line. She won’t be alone. Esther will queue for hours – in the moonlight – to collect water before the village tap runs dry.
“I can’t catch up on the sleep I miss” she says. “I’ll be so tired but I have no choice... Whenever there is water I have to go and draw it as we don’t know when there will be another drop.”
The Zambian government cannot afford to continually pump water to Esther’s village. So when the tap stops flowing, she has to draw dirty water from the river – which Esther knows could make her family sick. Her children have had dysentery and Ricy, her husband, nearly died from cholera.
Doesn’t this injustice make you thirst for change?
Our faith calls us to act – to let justice flow like a river. Every 20 seconds, a child dies because of dirty water or unsafe sanitation.
Women and girls in the poorest countries spend up to eight hours each day walking to collect water. This robs them of their chance to earn a living, go to school, or simply spend time together as a family.
Please email PM David Cameron and call on him to lead the world in demanding clean water and safe sanitation for all. Together, we can turn the tide on water poverty.
Around the country, people are making a stand for clean water. Find out what events are happening near you, and be inspired to get involved and spread the word about water poverty >>
“Let justice flow like a river and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” Amos 5:24
 Thirst for change community action guide (4.21 MB) All you need to inspire others to Thirst for change – with activity ideas, a short talk, media tips and more |
 Facts from the taps guide to water poverty (3.20 MB) Ensure you have all the facts at your fingertips with our guide to water poverty |
Download all Thirst for change resources here, including a youth action pack, a ‘make a splash’ pack for children, and tons of great materials to help you spread the word in your local area. |
