Children
and Water
When homes and schools don't have water or bathrooms,
the impact on kids is huge.
Children are often the ones who walk every day to collect water. This can take hours – time spent carrying heavy buckets instead of learning at school or playing with friends.
And when homes or schools don't have bathrooms, that means trying to find a place to go outside – often without privacy – or waiting until it's dark out. This can be dangerous for children and means waste is contaminating their environment.
See how the children in your life can learn more about the water crisis, get involved with Water For People, and help other kids around the world thrive.
Telling a Story in Peru
Watch to explore the story of The Thirsty Hummingbird, a book imagined by students in Peru. Water For People worked directly with students from Palmira, a village in Peru’s Cascas Valley, to develop the story that weaves in their firsthand experiences and creativity.
The book’s main character is Lupita, a thirsty hummingbird who embarks on a quest through the landscapes of Peru in search of water for herself and her friends. Her journey mirrors the struggle of 1 in 6 children living in water-scarce areas in Latin America and the 447 million children worldwide who lack basic drinking water services at their schools.
Meet Kids Taking Action
No activity is too small, because we know even the smallest actions can start a ripple effect. If you're inspired by these kids who have chosen to support Water For People, then you can get started today with a fundraiser or activity that raises awareness for the global water crisis.
Not sure how to get involved? Email us at [email protected], we're here to support you!
Learning Activities
Download, print, and get started coloring, searching, and circling with these activity pages that share more about water, bathrooms, and hygiene. Available in English and Spanish.
English Activity Pages:
Páginas de actividades en español:
More Stories from Around the World
Yolanda’s Goal
Yolanda loves playing soccer in her rural Bolivian community. But before her school had clean water and bathrooms, she started each day carrying heavy buckets instead of heading straight to class. Access to safe water has changed what’s possible for her – both in school and on the field.
The Power of Sanitation in a Girl’s Education
Meet Lennie, a passionate young woman whose journey with Water For People began in 2015, when she was only 11 years old. That was the year Water For People built bathrooms, handwashing facilities, and menstrual hygiene management units to support students’ sanitation and hygiene needs at Lennie’s school, Chilomoni Primary.
The Little Ministers of Hygiene
Today, these five little ministers take great pride in their positions and in their school. But that wasn’t always the case. In fact, it wasn’t long ago that the school was struggling due to a lack of access to safe water and clean bathrooms.