Ethiopia has a population of 80 million people. Eighty-five percent live in rural areas. Most of these people are poor, and only 1 in 4 have access to clean water. Only 8 percent have access to sanitation—the lowest in the world. When sanitation systems are lacking, people use fields and bushes. This contaminates the local water supply and can spread illness throughout the community.

World Vision has big plans to work alongside communities in Ethiopia. By 2015, we hope to help 340,000 more people in rural areas gain access to clean water, and 170,000 more people gain access to sanitation systems. Imagine the difference for children and families!

The challenges are many: rising costs of equipment, the capacity of drilling machines, and the depth at which water resides—300 meters below the ground. But World Vision is committed to finding solutions. In one community, the government has requested that we run pipelines from the Awash River to bring clean water for drinking and washing by 2010. Your gift will help make such a difference in rural Ethiopia. Join us today.