Message from the Executive Director

January, 2006

In the past few weeks, I have been excitedly communicating with our local partner organizations in India, Bangladesh, Honduras, and Ethiopia about the water, sanitation, and health projects they are about to start with your financial support of Water 1st. They are convening meetings in communities that will have new water systems by the end of 2006. It’s wonderful to feel a connection to people who are living a completely different life on the opposite part of the globe, and I sense their energy and joy from their communications.

In June 2005, our team traveled to Honduras to visit our local partner organization there. I have worked with this Honduran organization for nearly 15 years, and together we have overseen the implementation of more than 40 community water projects. One day, as we were driving on one of the steep mountainous roads in the Lempira region, we came to a beautiful vista. Professora Blanca, the president, said, “Marla, look over there, that’s Yupural, and that’s Tierra Blanca, and that’s Gualcinse.” These were all communities that now had clean water projects. It was a wonderful moment. I suddenly had a vision of driving through southern Lempira 20 years from now and going past community after community,knowing that all of them now had clean water, because of the faithful work of our local partner organization and the faithful support of our donors.

The impact of a completed water project is amazing. It’s transforming for both individuals and entire communities. This transformation–from a community without water to a community with water–sets off a chain reaction that changes the course of these communities forever: From places where children routinely die of preventable diseases to places where children live healthy lives. From places where women and girls spend their days carrying water to places where girls have time to go to school. From people who are embarrassed about their poverty to people who are no longer afraid to look me in the eye when we talk. Empowered communities no longer feel isolated and helpless and will tackle other problems in the community, such as building roads, schools, and income generating activities.

I’ve witnessed all these things happen in the poorest of communities around the world, starting first with a clean water project that’s well-constructed and well-maintained and well-done. If we can help people gain access to clean water, we can end poverty in our world. Your contributions are a critical component of the transformation process. Thank you for your generous support of these water projects and the people we serve around the world.

Marla Smith–Nilson
Executive Director, Water 1st International