Water for Life

Access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation are global issues. Billions of people around the world suffer every day because they lack access to these resources. The impact is heartbreaking: Illnesses from water-related diseases account for millions of childhood deaths and loss of school days each year.

Heart to Heart is doing something about it in the developing country of Guatemala, where n 3.7 million people do not have access to potable water and approximately 4.2 million people do not have access to adequate sanitation facilities. As a result, acute diarrheal diseases are the second leading cause of death among infants in Guatemala.

READ about our WASH initiative in Guatemala

We are working to reverse that trend in the Sololá region around Lake Atitlan. To the people of this region, water is life.

The lake is the primary source of water for drinking, cooking and cleaning. Unfortunately, human and agricultural waste has polluted the water and residual damage from Hurricane Stan has rendered the water unsafe for community use. Other efforts to treat the water have proven unsustainable and are leading to a potential health crisis.

Working with government officials, community leaders and local partners, Heart to Heart has developed a comprehensive three-year plan to address community health concerns in Sololá. Through our Wash and Sanitation/Hygiene (WASH) initiative, we plan to install water-treatment systems, enhance sanitation facilities, develop effective hygiene habits, and create supportive environments to sustain these community improvements.

VOLUNTEER your time in Guatemala

You can help us provide the access that so many people need. Support our WASH initiatives today!