Changing Lives, One Water Filter at a Time

A Day Distributing Water Filters

Paul recently joined the water filtration team to help identify households in Iquitos in need of filters. It’s one of those programs we run consistently, because access to clean water in the Loreto region is a serious, ongoing problem.

For those of you who haven't had the joy of joining us in Peru, Iquitos is located on the Itaya River, a tributary of the Amazon—one of the world’s most remarkable natural wonders. But despite this proximity to water, clean drinking water is scarce. Decades of poor infrastructure, pollution, and the socioeconomic challenges that affect the region have made safe water hard to come by. And where it is available, it’s often prohibitively expensive.

With nearly 80% of the region lacking access to clean water, this remains one of our biggest programs, even though the cost is relatively small.

What $50 Can Do

A filter costs $50. With that $50 donation, we secure a filter, locate a family (the average family size in Iquitos is five people), distribute the filter, teach them how to use it properly, and map the location so we can return and check in. These filters are portable, easy to use, and highly effective at removing toxins, bacteria, and pollutants from the water. With proper use, they’ll last anywhere between 5 to 8 years.

The impact goes beyond just convenience. That $50 translates into money saved for families who are already facing economic hardship. And with improved water quality, we also see better health outcomes—reduced tooth decay, fewer infectious diseases, and less exposure to bacteria that can otherwise make daily life harder.

In the States, filtering water is often a choice—something we do because we prefer the taste, because it’s cold from the fridge, or because bottled water is convenient.

But in Iquitos, it’s not a choice. It’s a lifeline.

Watch the video to join Paul and the ladies on their trip through Iquitos.

Consider making a donation here.