Changed Lives in India: Water Improves Education

Published Mon, Feb 20, 17. Written by Shannon Smith.

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Providing local access to clean water in a community has a wide impact.  Beyond improving the physical health of the community members, having abundant, clean water close by improves lives in other ways.  For example, educational opportunities are improved when less time is needed to be spent on the collection of water.

Below is one story from our field partner in Orissa, India.

Mr. Mahesh, a college student, has been able to continue his studies. Mahesh comes from a very poor family. He is the youngest son of poor and illiterate parents. His hard work and determination to study helped him to get passed in the 10th board exam with a good grade. Being excited with his result, his parents decided to help him continue his studies despite their poverty and financial struggle. So, because there is no college in his village, Mahesh had to rent a house and started going to the college.

It was not after a long time, he found it not possible to attend all his classes. In order to prepare food and to get a drinking water, Mehesh used to walk a kilometer which became much time consuming and as a result he missed many classes. Eventually, Mahesh had decided to quit his studies and go back to his village, but... A bore well was dug near to the house that Mahesh had rented and it was a miraculous experience for Mahesh. The tears of joy came out from his eyes when he learned about this news.

Mahesh says "I feel it as a spring of water in the desert land. I also feel the Lord has particularly made this provision for me as I had decided to quit my studies and go back to my village just because of the water problem. But now I am able to continue my studies and I believe the Lord has a great plan for my life and future and so He has done this miracle in my life. I am humbled before the Lord and do not have words to express my thanks and regards to you for digging this bore well"