Worldwide, one child dies every eight seconds from a lack of clean drinking water due to water-borne diseases. Mercy Ships works in communities to ensure each village has an adequate and safe drinking supply as well as knowledge for a healthy future.

Mercy Ships helps to alleviate drinking water problems by drilling wells and repairing existing water systems in villages without access to clean water. Trainees receive basic education in how to maintain and take care of the wells and pumps.

Mercy Ships teams work with villagers to build latrines, a basic component of a healthy community, and teach them about waterborne diseases and sanitation options. Teams seek to establish a core group of people in each location who are able to teach and motivate others in creating a healthy environment.

Since 1978, Mercy Ships crew has:

• completed over 1,095 community development projects focusing on water and sanitation, education, infrastructure development and agriculture.