Clean water and sanitation transformed learning, health, and dignity for students at Ha Rannakoe Primary School in Southern Lesotho.

In the village of Katoba, challenges stemming from poor hygiene and sanitation have long affected the lives of pupils at Katoba Primary School. Limited access to clean water and inadequate sanitation facilities have made it difficult for children to stay healthy and attend school regularly. Many students resort to using unsafe water sources, which increases their risk of waterborne diseases like cholera and diarrhoea. The lack of proper toilets and handwashing facilities has also contributed to unsanitary conditions, making it hard for pupils to practice good hygiene habits both in school and at home. These issues have particularly affected girls, who often miss school during their menstrual cycles due to the absence of private, clean facilities and access to sanitary products.

At Kanchomba Primary School in Hamaundu, Zambia, 19-year-old Jessica’s life has been dramatically transformed thanks to World Vision’s work in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). Now in twelfth grade, Jessica recalls spending up to three hours each day fetching water. She would walk before school, at lunchtime, and again in the evening, often missing classes due to these lengthy trips.

Through the Sesame WASH UP! programme, pupils in Kadjabi, in the Oti Region, are embracing hygiene education.

Huda, 20, lives in isolation in rural Iraq. Disabled and in need of clean water, toilets, and medical care—her only escape is drawing and imagination.

A new borehole at Muiticula Primary now provides clean water to 400+ students, improving health, hygiene, and education through the PARES project.

For years, Nyandwi’s family endured the hardship of walking long distances daily to fetch water, leaving his children too exhausted for school and proper hygiene. This changed when World Vision, in partnership with the Government of Rwanda, installed a nearby water pump, bringing clean, accessible water to their community. The transformation was profound; his children could now attend school on time, focus on their studies, and live healthier lives. With water at home, Nyandwi also improved their nutrition, and life-changing for his family and community.

Three months have passed since the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on 28 March 2025, yet humanitarian conditions remain critical. Early rains have further deteriorated the living situation for many children and families still residing in makeshift shelters, struggling to rebuild their lives. Access to clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and protection services, particularly for those displaced in Mandalay and Sagaing, remains dire. The earthquake compounds an already dire humanitarian situation where nearly 20 million people already needed humanitarian assistance across the country due to prolonged conflict, recurring natural disasters and economic collapse.