In 2021, following our success in finishing the job of reaching everyone, everywhere we work with clean water in 39 areas of Rwanda (1.2 million people), World Vision committed to finish the job in Zambia and reach 1 million people with clean water in 29 areas of Zambia while upgrading 150 health clinics. We have now surpassed our goals.
To celebrate, we choose a family of four to represent the millionth person. The mother, Ester, had a tragic story. Her best friend, Mutinta, fell into a deep pond while fetching water and drowned. Ester felt guilt, extreme sadness, and hated going to fetch water in the pond every day after her friend’s death. As the years passed, she began to heal and is now able to share the story of Mutinta. Part of her healing is that World Vision brought clean water near her home, and she no longer has to collect water from the pond. Prior to the new water access, she made frequent visits to the health clinic with illnesses caused by the filthy pond water as did her husband, Oliver, and her daughters, Seraphina (age 3) and Sarah (18 months).
Esther laughed easily as she and her family drank clean water and told us about their improved lives. She proudly introduced us to her growing flock of chickens, calling them with a cluck and throwing seeds for them to eat. She said life is good and she’s thankful to World Vision for giving them the opportunity to improve their lives. Seraphina and Sarah were so full of life as they played with Oliver. It made us thankful that they will never experience the horror of losing a friend to drowning in a pond.
It's humbling to think of Ester's transformation multiplied by one million people. Thank you to everyone who made this life-giving gift of clean water possible.
Enjoy the celebration with us by watching this video.
We are now focused on finishing the job of providing clean water access in Honduras in 49 municipalities and in Ghana in 23 areas where we work.
World Water Day celebration
Thank you to those who participated and supported our celebration of World Water Day 2026. It was another successful event with a historic $1.8M raised in one day through Team World Vision and the Global 6k for Water! We witnessed 2,700 people registering for the Team World Vision Global 6k! (17% growth).
In case you want to see the entire day of recordings, here is the link to the World Water Day 2026 video showcase.
Coming soon!
My memoir Thirsty for a Miracle is available for preorders. It's my true story of helping bring clean water to millions of people and finding my purpose along the way. Thank you to everyone who has helped in this journey. I'm eternally grateful. Learn more at drgregallgood.org
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.
In 2025, 86% of World Vision's total operating expenses were used for programs that benefit children, families, and communities in need. Learn More.
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