Water is the blue thread of integration connecting people, places, and progress. It is essential to the well-being of children and their communities and creates pathways out of poverty. Water transforms lives by driving economic growth, food security, environmental resilience, safe healthcare, and educational success. Mapping the Blue Thread is World Vision’s 2026 to 2030 global business plan to deliver adaptive water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions for a better, healthier world across 42 countries. Our data-driven approach enables country WASH teams to deliver targeted, location-specific strategies that maximize impact, effectiveness, and sustainability.

Lalor, a remote mountaintop village on the Vietnam border, faces isolation, poor sanitation, and health risks—but a water project brings hope.

Lack of safe water once forced 18-year-old Sibonelo from Mahlalini to spend hours fetching water from the river, affecting her studies and limiting her family’s ability to grow food. After World Vision’s WASH programme brought clean water into their homestead, everything changed. Sibonelo was able to focus on her education, complete school, and now plans to pursue an electrical wiring course. Her family established a thriving garden, enjoys nutritious meals, and runs a small poultry business, supported by reliable water access. The availability of safe water has strengthened their livelihoods and opened new opportunities for a better future.

Two rural communities in Krachi West, Oti Region, celebrate the end of daily two-hour walks for water as new solar-powered systems bring safe drinking water to nearly 10,000 residents.

World Vision Afghanistan delivered lifesaving health, nutrition, WASH, and livelihood support amid drought, disasters and rising humanitarian needs.

A Water Sanitation and Hygiene Need Story

In the remote village of Mafika-Lisiu, Mohale’s Hoek, World Vision International Lesotho transformed lives by installing 17 community taps, ending decades of water scarcity. The story of ‘Malimo and her mother, ‘Masimone, reflects how access to clean water restored health, dignity, and hope—reducing disease, improving hygiene, and empowering families to thrive.

Senior government officials commend innovative WASH initiatives, highlighting impactful sanitation programs to achieve universal access to clean water in Ghana.

Drinking Water Sustainability Fund (DWSF) boosts rural water systems with loans, tech aid & insurance, ensuring safe and reliable water. Download the full report to learn more