Let Blessings Flow

It's hard to imagine life without water when it's always there. You turn a knob, and you have a drink. You push a button, and you water your flowers. You dip a finger in a font at church and bless yourself. But spend a day in a home where the plumbing has failed, and you know how much we take water for granted.

Cheptoyek Emma drinks fresh, clean water from a new community well in Uganda, thanks to CRS' Integrated Water Resources Management project. Photo by Jake Lyell for CRS

More than 748 million people lack access to clean water. That's almost 2.5 times the population of the United States. Water is essential to life, but approximately one in nine people still don't have it. Every minute, a child dies of a water-related disease.

It's hard to imagine life without water when it's always there. You turn a knob, and you have a drink. You push a button, and you water your flowers. You dip a finger in a font at church and bless yourself. But spend a day in a home where the plumbing has failed, and you know how much we take water for granted.

More than 748 million people lack access to clean water. That's almost 2.5 times the population of the United States. Water is essential to life, but approximately one in nine people still don't have it. Every minute, a child dies of a water-related disease.

March 22 marks World Water Day, recognized by the United Nations, the global community—and CRS. It reminds us that there is still a water, sanitation and hygiene crisis.

Cristian Cerén bathes in Don Juan Waterfalls, a park in Jujutla, El Salvador. CRS teaches coffee producers and processors water preservation through the Blue Harvest project. Photo by Oscar Leiva/Silverlight for CRS

At CRS, practically speaking, every day is World Water Day. Last year, you provided support to more than 2 million people through 40 projects in 17 countries. Every day, you bring clean water to communities experiencing disasters, famine and, yes—even flooding. You give farmers crop-saving and potentially lifesaving water. You help communities dig wells so women and children don't spend hours every day toting water. You promote good hygiene and sanitation through hand-washing stations and latrines. You contribute to the sustainability of natural resources. You keep children alive.

As we pray, fast and give alms during this season of Lent, we are reminded that Easter and new life are right around the corner. By supporting CRS Rice Bowl, you can change lives now. Your gift helps support CRS programs around the world, including water and sanitation projects that bring clean water to those who don't take this precious resource for granted. Thanks for making water and blessings flow for communities around the world.