WaterAid's Christmas appeal

WaterAid is asking community groups, churches and schools throughout the UK to support its Water Means Life appeal this Christmas and help bring clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene to healthcare centres worldwide. 

The international charity’s appeal aims to raise £2.5 million between November 2022 and February 2023. Funds raised will bring water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities to healthcare centres in Mozambique and across the world.  

Currently one in four healthcare centres has no clean water on site and almost half of healthcare centres have no basic handwashing facilities, putting staff and patients at a risk of ill-health. 

Maria, who is a nurse at Posto de Saúde de Napacala health centre in Niassa Province, Mozambique said: “We use the water from the well for patients’ laundry, delivering babies and washing our hands between appointments.” 

“The situation is very difficult. And when our well runs dry we can't wash our hands. We have in total 16 communities around the health centre in desperate need of water. Water for me is life and without it there is no life.” 

By fundraising for WaterAid this Christmas, congregations and community groups can help tackle the global hygiene crisis in healthcare centres across the world. Patients are dying needlessly; nurses and doctors are at risk and there is a higher threat of future pandemics. 

Wanji Wambari-Kairu, Supporter Exploration and Influencing Lead at WaterAid, who saw the situation faced by health centres in Mozambique first-hand, said: “Nurses, cleaners and doctors go above and beyond to treat their patients, but it’s not enough. When dirty water is the only option you have, every effort to heal risks bringing harm. It’s heart-breaking that 3.85 billion people use or work in a healthcare facility without basic hygiene services.” 

“By joining WaterAid’s appeal your church can start working with nurses like Maria and local communities to bring clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene to health centres like Posto de Saúde de Napacala and around the world. This will make a lasting difference and save lives.” 

WaterAid has produced a range of free fundraising resources, including Sunday School session and fundraising ideas ranging from bauble decorating competitions to wreath making, a presentation on Maria’s story and a poster. Churches can even book a free WaterAid speaker to come and talk to their congregation about the campaign. 

Access these resources and learn more about the Water Means Life appeal at wateraid.org/uk/christmas.