Living Water

Did you know that the average Ugandan has only a 3rd grade education? Considering how much time they spend gathering water from distant sources or how many fall seriously ill with cholera, typhoid, or dysentery from drinking dirty water, a 3rd grade education could be regarded as a miracle.

Hands of Hope and Living Water International have identified 50 schools in Ruhaama County in southwest Uganda with no water on campus. None. When students are thirsty, they go to a nearby swamp, where they share their drinking water with livestock and bacteria. It’s a miracle that they go to school at all.

It doesn’t have to be this way. There is hope for a different kind of miracle. Because of students and teachers in schools across America, 50 schools in Ruhaama County can have access to clean, safe water, and the children won’t have to miss school anymore. It’s all part of the Schools for Schools initiative, enabling schools in our communities to bring safe water to schools in developing nations around the world.

In September, a group of people from Hands of Hope and Living Water International gathered together, along with First Lady Museveni of Uganda, to celebrate the beginning of this miracle. Vicky Wauterleck, founder and director of Hands of Hope, opened her home for a special reception honoring the First Lady and those who have given to the schoolchildren of Ruhaama County through the Back to School: Uganda campaign. At the time of the reception, 23 water wells already had sponsorship because of the partnership between First Lady Museveni, Hands of Hope, and Living Water International. Mrs. Museveni shared her heartfelt appreciation for everyone’s involvement and expressed thanks for the school leaders, teachers, students, and others who are making it possible for more than 20,000 Ugandan children to stay in school and achieve their dreams. You can read more about the children of Ruhaama County here.

If you are a teacher, principal, student, or staff member at a school and think your class or school would be interested in helping a school in need of water, please click here for more information.