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The lack of clean drinking water significantly impacts daily life. In many cases, the only source of clean water is many miles away, and women and children are tasked with making the journey several times per day. This can make them vulnerable to becoming victims of crime, as they often walk alone, and take children out of school, denying them the chance to get an education and improve their economic standing. Limited access to clean drinking water can also create high rates of disease, including malaria, typhoid, and severe dehydration. These illnesses spread easily, affecting each member of the community.

In Africa, the water crisis is a serious obstacle to safe, prosperous lives for millions of people. There are currently 14 countries in Africa that are under water-related stress, with an additional 11 expected to reach a similarly severe status within the next few years. With 677 lakes on the continent, there seems to be no shortage of available water -- however, much of this water is receding, and what's left is often contaminated by pollution from agriculture and mines or human and animal waste. Infant mortality rates and average life expectancy in Africa are closely tied to the availability of clean water, and in Sierra Leone, which is experiencing significant water-related issues, the average life expectancy is only 46 years. Cholera and hepatitis are the most common life-threatening waterborne illnesses, though ringworm, malaria, salmonella, dysentery, and Dengue fever are also common.

Speak to The Last Well for more information about the water crisis in African and how you can help the cause. The Last Well is working towards its ambitious goal of bringing clean drinking water and the Gospel to every person in Liberia by the end of 2019. The organization is near its goal, and both one-time donations and monthly sponsorships can bring it even closer. The Last Well builds clean water systems and also provides community members with education on proper hygiene and safety to help them maintain the viability of their new water sources.