When schools lack clean water and safe toilets, girls pay the highest price. In Zambia, only 4% of schools have access to basic sanitation services, and over 2.5 million learners lack adequate hygiene facilities (UNICEF Zambia, National WASH in Schools Assessment, 2026).

A practical guide for designing, strengthening, and evaluating urban WASH programmes through systems-focused, partnership-driven approaches.

This human-interest article highlights how access to safe drinking water is transforming lives in the Bambo and Kibirizi Health Zones of North Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It showcases the impact of a World Vision WASH project, funded by the U.S. Department of State, in improving access to clean water, promoting hygiene and sanitation practices, and reducing waterborne diseases. Through the voices of community members, children, parents, and health officials, the story illustrates tangible improvements in health, school attendance, personal hygiene, and community well-being. It also demonstrates how behavioural change, combined with sustainable water and sanitation infrastructure, is fostering healthier and more resilient communities. While celebrating the project's achievements, the article underscores the continued need to expand water and sanitation services so that every family can benefit from safe, reliable access to clean water.

In Bangladesh, Doly Akter walks two kilometres through rain and darkness to collect water for her family, revealing the daily burden of water scarcity on women and children.

After devastating floods, Badgah villagers rebuilt their irrigation canal with World Vision support, restoring water, livelihoods, and hope.

In FY25, World Vision Afghanistan reached 1,497,975 people, including 808,015 children, through 36 projects and grants. 

World Vision Ghana and the Volta Regional Coordinating Council have signed an MoU to expand access to clean water, sanitation and health services in Agortime-Ziope.

Thousands of families in Guijá lost access to safe drinking water after severe floods damaged critical infrastructure. New generators are now helping restore water services and build resilience for future emergencies.

At Kabuuka Primary School, the daily struggle for water once defined children’s lives more than learning. Pupils walked two kilometres to fetch unsafe water, leaving them exhausted, frequently ill, and often absent from class. For girls, the lack of water and sanitation was especially harsh during menstruation, leading to missed school days and stigma. Through World Vision Uganda’s intervention, a motorised water system was installed, bringing clean water directly into the school compound and surrounding community. Alongside new latrines and sanitation facilities, this transformed hygiene, dignity, and participation in learning—particularly for adolescent girls.

World Vision Afghanistan reached 463,622 people through health, WASH, food security, livelihoods, protection, and emergency response.