Access to safe drinking water is key to the livelihood of millions of people living in rural areas in the third world.  The lack of a clean water facility not only affects the health of the family but also brings secondary affects along with it.  For example, contaminated water has proven to slow income growth of families who drink it as oppose to families who have accessibility to safe drinking water.   

UNICEF is one of the many organizations who provide economic and technical assistance to the third world.  A reported done by UNICEF in 2003 indicated that only 41 percent of the country had access to proper bathroom facilities.  Currently, UNICEF is working with the Vietnamese government to provide the proper water infrastructures to the poorest rural communities.  Historically, the northern part of Vietnam has been the poorest compared to the south.  A project which was recently completed, provided a clean water facility in Dai Phac village.  Steve Nettleton of UNICEF “Dai Phac Commune takes water from a natural spring, purifies it and then pumps safe water directly to villagers’ homes. The system has made a dramatic improvement in the lives of people…”

Bringing awareness of the disadvantages that the people of the third world are faced with on a daily basis is a goal of mine.   Please visit this link on how you can make a difference to the millions of people who live in poverty.