Clean Water Guatemala Project #71381

Every Drop Counts

by Fondo Unido de Guatemala

Project Report | Apr 17, 2026
Families Turn Clean Water into Health and Hope

By Mabelle Monzon | Impact Manager

Safe water for healthy childhood development.

Dear GlobalGiving Community,

We are thrilled to share the progress of our "Every Drop Counts" campaign. Thanks to your unwavering support during this second quarter, we have successfully delivered 85 water purifying filters to families in the communities of Chajbuul and Chamil, located in San Juan Chamelco, Alta Verapaz.

In these communities, access to safe drinking water is not just a health necessity; it is a fundamental right and the cornerstone of a child's development during their first 1,000 days of life.

A Story of Transformation: Andrea’s Path to a Healthy Home

In the community of Chajbuul lives Andrea. Before joining our program, her home reflected a reality common in rural Guatemala: domestic animals often shared the living spaces, posing a constant risk to her family's hygiene. Boiling water was a daily burden that required time and firewood she couldn't always spare.

Today, Andrea’s home tells a different story. Guided by our home visits and technical counseling, she has transformed her environment. Her animals now have dedicated spaces outside, and her home is a safer place for her 5-month-old baby.

Andrea is currently practicing exclusive breastfeeding, a commitment she has kept since her child's birth. The arrival of the water filter has been her greatest ally, ensuring that her own hydration and her family’s hygiene are supported by a reliable source of safe water.

"Before, we had to boil water, but we didn't always have the resources. Now, we have safe water every day. It has truly improved our health and our peace of mind," Andrea shares.

The Impact of Your Trust

By reaching this milestone of 85 filters, we are implementing a comprehensive "Integrated Impact Strategy." Your donations have facilitated:

Dignified Living Conditions: Families are adopting healthy practices, such as proper animal management and handwashing, which empower them to take control of their own health.

Environmental & Economic Relief: Eliminating the need to boil water reduces firewood consumption and saves time, allowing mothers to focus on childcare and development.

Long-term Resilience: We are strengthening the community's capacity to prevent waterborne diseases, ensuring children grow up strong.

Looking Forward

While we celebrate these 85 families, the journey continues. Many more households in San Juan Chamelco are waiting for the opportunity to transform their reality. Every contribution remains the vital drop that makes this change possible.

We invite you to continue standing with us. Your trust allows us to work side-by-side with these resilient families, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive with dignity.

Thank you for making this impact possible.

With gratitude,

The United Way Guatemala Team

Strengthening healthy hygiene practices

Safe water for hygiene and baby care.

Access to safe drinking water at home

Links:

Learn more about how United Way Guatemala is transforming lives

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Dec 18, 2025
How Clean Water Is Changing Lives

By Fernando Quezada | Grant Manager

Strengthened families now drink safe water

Dear GlobalGiving Community,

We are deeply grateful to share an update on our Every Drop Counts campaign, which launched in September 2025. Thanks to the generosity of individual donors and companies. Every contribution is making a meaningful difference for families in vulnerable communities in Guatemala.

In San Juan Chamelco, Alta Verapaz, access to safe drinking water is not guaranteed—especially for families welcoming a new child. For mothers, every glass of water can be a source of worry during one of the most critical stages of life: the first 1,000 days, when a child’s health and development are most vulnerable.

María’s Story

When María was pregnant, water was a daily concern. In her home, located in the community of San Marcos, San Juan Chamelco, boiling water was part of her routine. After her baby was born, fear of waterborne diseases pushed her to buy purified water—a constant expense that strained the family’s finances at a time when every resource mattered for her child’s well-being.

Everything changed when María received a household water filter through our integrated impact strategy in San Juan Chamelco supporting nutrition, hygiene, healthy practices. Today, her family drinks safe water directly from the filter. She no longer needs to boil water or purchase bottled water. There is greater peace of mind in her home, fewer concerns about illness, and more resources available to invest in her baby’s health, nutrition, and development.

What may seem like a simple solution—clean water every day—has become a powerful tool to protect her child’s future.

Stories like María’s are possible because of supporters like you. In San Juan Chamelco alone, we have already delivered more than 350 water filters, as part of a broader effort that has reached over 3,000 families in vulnerable communities. Each filter protects a family for years and strengthens everything surrounding the first 1,000 days of life: better nutrient absorption, fewer preventable diseases, and greater opportunities for children to grow healthy and strong.

Yet, the need remains urgent. Many families are still waiting for access to safe water.

Your support continues to be the drop that makes change possible. Together, we are turning clean water into health, dignity, and hope for the next generation.

Thank you for believing in this work and for standing with families in Guatemala.

With gratitude,

The Fondo Unido de Guatemala (United Way Guatemala) Team

Strengthened communities

Delivery of water purifying filters

Links:

Learn more about how United Way Guatemala is transforming lives

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