Helen Apio. Seven years later.

She told us that clean water made her feel beautiful then. Her story is even more beautiful today.

It’s an unforgettable story — and one we often share — because Helen Apio talked about clean water in a way we’d never heard before.

When we first met Helen in 2009, her community had just received a hand pump in the middle of their village.

For decades, Helen had spent most of her days walking and waiting to collect water. It was such a time-consuming process that she could only manage to bring home two Jerry Cans per day.

Let that sink in for a second. The average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water per day at home. Helen’s family was divvying up 10 gallons.

She told us that each day she’d ask herself, “How should I use this water today? Should I water my garden so we can grow food? Should I wash my children’s uniforms? Should I use it to cook a meal? Should we drink this water?”

With two children, one husband, and only 10 gallons of water, Helen had to make choices. And she always put herself last.

But all of that changed when her community got clean water.

“I am happy now,” Helen beamed. “I have time to eat; my children can go to school. And I can even work in my garden, take a shower, and then come back for more water if I want! I am bathing so well.”

“Now, I am beautiful,” Helen said.

That’s the part that blew us away.

We commonly hear people talk about improved health, time saved, education opportunities, dignity, pride, joy…

But no one had ever said beauty.

In 2016, we sent a team back to Northern Uganda to visit Helen and see how clean water has continued to change her life over time.

The best part is that it’s not just her story anymore.

At the time of our visit, Helen was living with three of her grandchildren. Two of them were going to school (on time and in clean uniforms). The other one had just bought a sewing machine so she could make and sell her own clothing.

Helen’s son was living next door with his wife. They were saving up money so they could open a restaurant.

Down the road, Helen’s neighbors had bigger farms and more livestock. Women were selling baked goods and working in shops. Kids were moving on to technical school.

Everyone was healthy.

Over the course of a few years, Helen purchased a goat for breeding (it had already birthed three babies), started farming ground nuts, and built her own business — get this — selling charcoal.

The same woman who hardly ever got to take a bath now proudly gets her hands dirty every single day.

You’ve helped charity: water bring clean water to so many families like Helen’s. Thanks to you, clean water is truly changing everything for people in need around the world.

And for women like Helen, life has never been more beautiful.

Written By: Tyler Riewer
Photos By: Hazel & Pine and Esther Havens