The poor in developing countries face many daily challenges that are rarely encountered in the United States. Many families lack running water, electricity or sanitation. For these families, living conditions have changed little from those hundreds of years ago.

In the backwoods of Gracias Lempira — one of the poorest areas of Honduras — Maria Suate’s 3-year-old daughter Delmi walks to a nearby reservoir to gather water.

Every day, Delmi and her brothers use plastic jugs to collect water from the murky pool. Sometimes they drink it. And Maria Suate prays that her daughter won’t become seriously ill once again.

Delmi almost died a year ago from worm infestation — a condition caused by drinking contaminated water. The little girl started to salivate after her body became feverish and her joints became stiff.

According to the World Health Organization, unsafe water and lack of sanitation claim the lives of more than 1.6 million people a year. Ninety percent of these deaths occur among children under the age of 5.

“If God didn’t look after her, she would have died,” Maria recounts.

No child should have to drink polluted water — not when we can do something to help. In response to the urgent need for safe drinking water and sanitation, Food For The Poor builds water wells, latrines and sanitation blocks throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

But we need your support to bring these precious resources to those in need.

During their church services, the entire community of Gracias Lempira prays for clean water. And back at his home, Delmi’s father stands under the cross he built and tells us, “With faith in God, things will get better.”

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