Waterborne Illnesses Reduced in Togo Thanks to Life for Relief and Development USA (LIFE) Water Well Project
- ajoyce140
- Aug 11, 2025
- 3 min read
Water deeply impacts our daily lives. Accustomed to convenient and immediate access to water wherever we go, it’s easy to take for granted this bountiful gift. However, when you peek at the lives of over 2 billion people across the globe who do not have access to safe drinking water, it’s easy to see how devastatingly their lives are affected.
It’s a harrowing fact that globally, 1.8 billion people drink water contaminated by fecal matter. As a result, millions of people die each year due to preventable water-related diseases. While this reality alone is beyond upsetting, a lack of access to water also impacts the economy, as 70% of the total food supply in Africa comes from domestic farmers. Limited water supply means that, at times, families must prioritize their survival, sacrificing their farm animals as there is not enough water to keep them alive.
Furthermore, in order to access any potential water to drink, vulnerable women and children must travel long distances, exerting valuable energy, resources, and time in their quest for survival. This consequently affects a child’s ability to attend school and invest in building a better future for themselves and their families.
The donors and workers at Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) believe it is imperative that access to clean water, a basic human right, is secured for all. In order to achieve this vision, a deep water well has been successfully constructed and opened on 30th December 2024 in the rural village of Kpagalaam in Togo, 350km away from the main city – one of many water projects run by the LIFE organization.
The well has drastically improved the lives of over 200 residents. By providing a sustainable source of clean water for drinking and cooking, exposure to waterborne diseases has been reduced, along with time spent getting water, directly freeing up youth to focus on receiving an education. Moreover, with less health concerns to overcome due to the clean and immediate access to water, men and women’s time, health, and energy have been saved, allowing them to invest in increasing the production of their farming activities, leading to a better quality of life and, consequently, bolstering their village’s economic growth and stability.
The benefits of this well are countless, as captured in the words of Amina Amamatou, a 33-year-old single mother: "This well is not just a source of water; it's a source of hope and opportunity for me and my family; LIFE brings me hope". She is now able to use the hours she would have spent fetching water to expand her business and look after her family.
Her gratitude is also echoed by Azia Bintou, a 55-year-old grandmother who praises and prays for the donors and workers at the LIFE organization. She used to walk 10 kilometers daily to fetch water from a contaminated stream, which left her and her family suffering from waterborne illnesses. This inevitably limited their productivity and income and left them struggling to pay preventable medical expenses. After the installation of the well, all these issues have thankfully become a thing of the past, allowing her and her family to focus on attaining a higher standard of living.
LIFE’s water well project in Togo is one of many initiatives that strive to make a difference in the lives of those who suffer from a lack of access to clean water. As demonstrated, your donations for this project have not only solved a very urgent basic physical need for the village of Kpagalaam, but they also have an environmental, economic, social, and societal impact, which will continue serving the community for generations to come.
“This well gave me a chance to learn, thanks to LIFE," Ten-year-old Aleeyah says with a big smile. She has been given the gift of time, thanks to your donations, and is excited to give back to the community, as she is now able to focus on her studies and achieve her dream of becoming a teacher.
