In Ethiopia and other developing countries, girls and women are the water carriers for their families. They get up early and walk every day, for hours, to collect water for drinking, cooking, and washing. I'm sure you can imagine what a tedious chore this is, not to mention backbreaking. But the effect that is most disheartening for girls is that it robs them of their education. In fact, there is evidence that when clean water becomes available to families, girls' school attendance rises. The connection might not seem obvious at first, but it exists: a new well in a village means girls have less of a walk to get water—and more of an opportunity to learn.

Clean water also promotes girls' education in another way. As girls grow older, they are often reluctant to attend school if the school does not have accessible water and proper sanitation facilities. Teen girls are more likely to drop out entirely if there are no toilets or handwashing facilities at the school. When clean water – and gender-specific latrines – become available, girls stay in school longer.

It's simple. Clean water and sanitation promote education for girls. And when girls receive an education, families and communities can be stronger and more successful. Will you help give the gift of clean water and nurture the potential of Ethiopian girls?