On July 8, 2025, everything changed for the children of ROSALBALI—a cluster of small, tight-knit communities tucked into rugged terrain in Chiapas, Mexico.
That day, Healing Waters International, in partnership with local government municipalities, inaugurated a safe water system that now pumps water from the river, purifies it, and delivers it directly into homes and community access points. To celebrate, Healing Waters hosted a vibrant health fair, offering training on safe water practices and hygiene. Children eagerly participated, beaming with pride as they received certificates for completing their lessons on health and wellness.
Many of these children attend a nearby school they affectionately call their “little school.” Before this project, afternoons were a dangerous mix of play and risk: after soccer, children would drink from an old, contaminated water tank. The danger wasn’t obvious, but it was profound—UNICEF reports that unsafe water and poor sanitation claim the lives of 1,000 children under five every day.
In ROSALBALI, the burden was heavy in other ways, too. Young boys often missed school to scavenge discarded bottles, trek down muddy, hazardous slopes to the river, fill them with untreated water, then help their mothers gather firewood to boil it. These trips put them in danger of injury, exposed them to river rapids, and filled their lungs with smoke, causing respiratory problems.
That’s why July 8 was more than just an inauguration—it was a turning point.
Today, the “little school” is not only a place of learning but also a source of life-giving water. Children drink clean, bacteria-free water that fuels their growth, studies, and play. Alongside safe water access, they are learning that they are created by God, deeply loved by Him, and immeasurably valuable. They’ve even drawn pictures to help remember these lessons.
During the celebration, children crowded around the community tap, squealing, “We have the same thing in our homes!”
Now, with safe water at both school and home, children in Rosalbali have healthier futures, more time for learning, and the freedom to simply be children. And together, we are committed to caring for their health—as a living reflection of God’s love.