O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1, ESV)

In the country of Nepal, people are thirsty for water — and for hope.

The country is home to more than 27 million people, many of whom are farmers. In the early morning hours, the rural streets are dotted with people headed to the market and the occasional cow or goat. In one community located in the foothills of the Himalayas, a young girl with a big smile steps out of her home to join them.

Her name is Rubina … and today she goes to school.

Rubina straightens the collar on her school jumper. Her schoolbooks are packed in her bag and her dark hair is clean and tucked neatly in a long braid. It’s Tuesday, and Rubina is headed off to school after finishing her morning chores. Her job is to gather water for the family twice every day.

A few months ago, gathering and carrying two small jugs of water would take her at least two hours. By the time she arrived home, there would be little time and little energy to go to school. But today, the walk for water took only 20 minutes, and Rubina is happy.

Because of her community’s new water well, she and her family have constant access to clean, cool water. Her family is healthy and Rubina has hope for a future that is brighter than she ever could’ve imagined — all because of clean water.

No longer an “untouchable”

The entire country of Nepal is facing a water crisis. During the long, dry months of summer, clean drinkable water is difficult to find. And when the rains finally come, flooding often leaves water sources contaminated and dangerous for consumption.

This problem affects everyone, but it particularly impacts dalits — people in Nepal and India who are considered among the lowest class. These people often aren’t allowed to collect water from the same places as others in the community.

Rubina, who is considered a dalit, used to spend much of her time trying to filter the dirty water she would gather. But she and her family would still get sick, and they began to lose hope. Without clean water, how could there be life?

For Rubina, and many like her, access to clean water seemed like an impossible dream. As she made the long trek to gather water, she would imagine a life where she could attend school and be happy. But the lack of clean water was robbing her of a future before it had even begun.

For years, Rubina’s family and community had been told that they are not worthy of something as basic as clean water. But because of a new well, that is changing. Clean water has opened the doors to share the love of Jesus Christ — the ultimate source of hope.

You can make a difference

Today, Rubina is able to go to school every day. She is investing in her future, and she dreams of a better life for her family. Clean water is improving Rubina’s life, and today, you have the chance to change the life of someone just like her.

For a simple gift of $15, you can provide one person with clean, drinkable water for an entire year. That can mean a year of health, a year of education, a year of career opportunities, and a year of hope.

When you give the gift of clean water, you are doing so much more than just quenching someone’s thirst. You are reminding him that he is loved by God — and meeting his deepest need.

Give the gift of clean water today and give the gift of life.