The love of Christ, combined with scripture, has a transformative effect. It reveals to people who they really are – image bearers of God. The staff at Healing Waters strives to embody God’s love in all that we do. When our teams enter a community, they let people know that they are there to provide safe water in the name of Jesus. Their kindness demonstrates God’s love to people trapped in poverty. To reinforce this, our Health and Hygiene program uses truth found in scripture to show the worth and dignity of each individual. These activities, informed by scripture but inspired by the life of Christ, demonstrate tangible and powerful love for vulnerable people who have often been discarded and neglected. The result is truly transformative!
“Christ has no body but yours, no hands no feet on earth but yours, yours are the eyes which he looks compassion on this world. yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands with which he blesses the world.”
Theresa of Avila
The Promotora Model
Heath promoters, also known as “promotoras,” are trained by Healing Waters’ staff work within their own communities to educate women and children about safe health and hygiene practices using Healing Waters’ biblically based curriculum. Health and hygiene education is important because it teaches practices such as proper handwashing, cleaning, and food safety when using new safe water sources. Everything changes when a community has access to safe water. Women no longer need to walk long distances to collect and purify water. However, years of established behaviors need to be adjusted to fit the new situation. Promotoras are highly effective in promoting behavior change because they belong to the same community, speak the same language, and are keenly aware of the prevalent old water practices. Their goal is to reach as many people as possible in the community to ensure widespread behavior change, with communities reinforcing these new practices.
Nicolasa’s Story as a Promotora
After becoming a Promotora, Nicolosa was very inspired. She worked with Healing Waters’ staff and other Promotoras to teach the class beyond her region, in local schools and to other women. Impressed by her passion, the local government decided to fund her team to teach the class in twelve new schools during the daytime, and to teach their parents in the afternoon. Her drive to see lives transformed encouraged widespread behavior change. She motivated families to adopt health and hygiene behaviors that would ultimately keep them and their families safer.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
1 Peter 4:10
Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual Thriving
The Health and Hygiene class goes beyond physical health to address the impact of poverty on self-esteem. Women in poverty can struggle with feelings of despondency and powerlessness, often bearing the burden of collecting and purifying water. The perpetual diseases caused by unclean water have far-reaching effects on health and well-being. Even when safe water is available, women may still face mental and emotional challenges. The Healing Waters Health and Hygiene classes not only teach safe water practices but also use scriptures to combat commonly held beliefs arising from poverty. The curriculum is designed to help women understand their dignity and value, while showing children that they are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Nicolasa, who taught the classes, witnessed the transformative power of these truths on women. She said, “Women are deeply impacted. They know that God loves them and is with them. They become strong, empowered, and compelled to lead in their communities.” This program is truly remarkable and transformative!
The Healing Waters’ Health and Hygiene program brings health and hope to people suffering from poverty. Donate today to reach more people just like Nicolasa who have the power to change entire communities.