Streams of transformation: Four girls in Ghana

Written by Corey Grant on Jan 29, 2025 1:55:01 PM

The backs of four girls from Ghana are shown as they walk down a dirt road arm-in-arm with each other.

For years, the figures of four, precious girls — Harriet, Loving, Abigail, and Belinda — painted a stark picture of life without clean water. In their small community in Ghana, dirty water wasn’t just an inconvenience it was a daily burden that was robbing them of safety, health, and the joy of childhood

Before: A daily struggle

In Agotime-Ziope, a small community in Ghana, the water situation was beyond critical. The community’s only water sources were filthy ponds shared with animals. Salomey Yeboah, a World Vision project manager in the area, described it bluntly:

“Both animals … and humans use the same water source, which is mostly contaminated with animal and human feces. This situation exposes the inhabitants to all sorts of waterborne diseases like diarrhea and cholera.”

For girls like Harriet, Loving, Abigail, and Belinda, it was a daily struggle to bring water back for their families. Every trip carrying water forced the girls to also carry fears, fatigue, and missed opportunities.

On the banks of a pond in Ghana, four girls sit on brightly colored buckets.Harriet

Nine-year-old Harriet dreaded the long walk to get water every day. Along the narrow, dusty paths, her thoughts were consumed by potential dangers. “My first thought is that I hope nothing happens to me along the way,” she said. “A car or motorcycle might hit me. I feel afraid.” Because of the hours spent collecting water, Harriet often missed school or arrived late.

Loving

Loving, just 7 years old, made the trek three times a day, carrying heavy containers. In her soft voice, she admitted, “I want to have water close by. I could have time to play.” Instead of carefree moments with friends, her days were spent walking, collecting water, and laboring.

Abigail

Abigail, 14, loathed her early mornings. Tired before the day even began, she would rise, grab her containers, and make the exhausting journey for dirty water. “I’m tired, but I don’t have water. So, I have to go,” she explained. Her wish was heartbreakingly simple: “I wish I was somewhere else. Where there’s water.”

Belinda

For 12-year-old Belinda, collecting water came with its own dangers — ones she couldn’t even see. “Something could be in the water that could bite me,” she shared. Her biggest fear was snakes lurking beneath the water’s surface. Each step into the pond brought her anxiety. 

After: A new reality

Thanks be to God, struggle is now giving way to joy. Together with supporters like you, World Vision has brought decades of expertise and love in action to equip this community with access to clean water.

Through our efforts together, many boreholes, wells, and mechanized water systems have been built around the globe. These tools — and the communities of people who build and maintain them — are making clean water accessible to those who’ve lived for so long without it.

And now in Agotime-Ziope, Harriet, Loving, Abigail, and Belinda live in a new world. The struggles that once defined their lives have been replaced with safety, time, and opportunity — all because clean water is now flowing near their homes. These streams of transformation have allowed the girls to journey deeper into their God-given potential and experience fuller lives.

A girl dressed in white smiles wide as she turns on one of her community’s taps and clean water flows out.

Harriet

The same girl who feared for her life on the road now walks with her head held high. With clean water close to home, Harriet no longer worries about cars, motorcycles, or dirty ponds. “I no longer worry about my safety,” she says, smiling brightly. “I can focus on my studies and get to school on time. Clean water has given me peace of mind and more time to learn.”

Smiling at someone off camera, a girl in a turquoise dress has her hand on the tap handle, ready to turn and receive clean water.

Loving

For Loving, she’s experiencing joy again. With water nearby, she no longer has to make endless trips. “I have so much time to play now!” she exclaims. Whether she’s playing hide-and-seek with friends or learning to play soccer, Loving is finally free to embrace her childhood.

A girl holds her hands out in happy surprise as clean water comes streaming out of the community tap.

Abigail

Abigail’s mornings have changed completely. Instead of waking up exhausted and dreading the day, she gets up full of momentum. “I don’t have to go anywhere for water. It’s right here,” she says joyfully. The energy she once spent collecting water now goes toward her education and dreams.

A girl wearing a bright pink dress smiles and leans against her community clean water tap.

Belinda

Belinda’s fears of unseen dangers are a thing of the past. She no longer wades into dirty ponds filled with snakes and invisible risks. “I don’t have to worry about what’s in the water anymore,” she says with relief. “I can drink and use clean water without fear. It’s like a dream come true.”

A wave of transformation

The stories of Harriet, Loving, Abigail, and Belinda are just few among millions. In Ghana, World Vision, with the support of donors, sponsors, and the community, has constructed many new water systems. These efforts have equipped over 1 million people across the country with clean water access.

When asked what she’d like to share, Salomey beautifully said:

“What I want you to pass on to the donors for me is that they should contribute in their own small way to bring long-lasting smiles to the faces of the most vulnerable through the provision of water. Water is life.”

For these girls, clean water has brought safety, restored childhoods, and opened doors to education and brighter futures. But beyond the physical transformation, clean water has delivered something even deeper: hope for the thriving lives that God intends for them.

one dollar becomes five dollars

Please prayerfully consider giving to the Global Water Fund. Your gift helps equip children and families with access to clean water.

 Every $1 you give to the Global Water Fund has the impact of $5, thanks to the support of other faithful partners!

As Salomey said, “Water is life.” Donate to the Global Water Fund and help people gain access to the life-changing power of water!

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