Donate to Wateraid before 18 September and help change lives
WaterAid is asking churches across the country to do something amazing and help change the lives of thousands of people across rural Malawi by holding a collection.
The Big Dig Appeal, launched back in June, offers a truly special opportunity because all money donated by the public will be matched pound for pound by the UK Government from the aid budget, helping reach twice as many people. In total, WaterAid hopes to help almost 170,000 people, but act quickly because the doubling deadline is 18 September.
In Malawi, 20% of the population has no access to clean water, while half the population has nowhere safe to go to the toilet. The resulting diarrhoeal diseases claim the lives of 9,000 children every year.
Boyce Nyirenda, Rural Programme Manager for WaterAid and preacher and church elder, knows what it is like to lose family members to dirty water and is determined to help people change their lives.
On a visit to one of the communities that will benefit from the appeal, Boyce said: “They took us to one of the scoop holes where they draw water, and the water there looks completely brown. You can’t even wash your khaki shorts using this water. A cup of clean water has almost become a luxury in this community. Your help and your support will help us transform the lives of men and women in this village.”
Through the Big Dig Blog, supporters can follow the journey of two of communities, Bokola and Kaniche, as they gain access to water and sanitation for the first time.
Grace is just one of the thousands of people across rural Malawi who will benefit from access to life saving water and sanitation through this appeal.
Aged 62, her body has been weakened by repeated bouts of dysentery caused by dirty water she has no choice but to drink. She either has to walk to the local stream or to a scoop–hole to fetch water, climbing into a deep, muddy hole, then out again with 20 litres of water. The water she collects is the colour of tea.
“I pray that we’ll have good water nearby, that is safe water,” she said. “I know God goes through other people as well, that they will come and help us. So I am praying hard so that our lives will be improved.”
By holding a collection and sending donations to WaterAid before 18 September, Grace’s prayers will be answered.
Barbara Frost, Chief Executive of WaterAid, said: “It can cost as little as £15 to provide one person in rural Malawi with safe water, improved hygiene and sanitation which means the money raised will make a real difference to people’s lives. With the UK Government matching every pound, the public’s donations will go twice as far.”
Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said: “Donations to WaterAid’s Big Dig Appeal will help communities in Malawi living without clean, safe water or proper latrines to get access to these vital resources that we in the West take for granted.
“To support this life–saving work, and in recognition of the generosity of the British public even in times of austerity, I am pleased to announce that the British government will help WaterAid transform the lives of twice as many people by matching pound for pound all public donations to the appeal.”
Find out more at at the Big Dig website here.