Triumph’s Philanthropic Vision is focused in four areas: training leaders, establishing viable communities, serving the less fortunate and giving people a second chance. One of the ways in which we serve the less fortunate is through our support of Living Water International.
Why water? Water is the foundation of all sustainable development, and yet 349 million people lack access to a source of safe drinking water. This leads to 2.2 million water-related deaths each year. Providing clean water saves lives and builds sustainable communities. Not having to deal with the daily crisis of finding clean water means more time for school and work, life and health, and it allows individuals and communities to plan for their future.
For a third year in a row, a group of Triumph team members has traveled to a remote village in El Salvador with the mission of bringing the precious gift of clean water to those in need. The village of Santa Rosa, located in southeastern El Salvador, is made up of 23 homes sheltering around 180 people. Many residents of the community are young mothers with toddlers. The need for clean water is very real for this community.
The team arrived in El Salvador on Sunday and made their way to the village for the first time early on Monday morning. The Living Water staff and leaders of the village provided them with a tour of the village. The villagers held the hands of the team as they proudly showed them their homes and their community.
After seeing the existing shallow, contaminated water wells, the team was ready to get to work! Team members Kurt, Todd, Kevin, Estevan, Tami, Terri and Clarie drilled an impressive 80 feet on the first day! “Today was definitely the dirtiest first day Triumph has ever had,” said Kevin. “It was awesome!”
In the afternoon, Carrie, Ruth, Deana and Lisa taught hygiene lessons to the community’s young mothers and children, telling them about germs and the importance of hand washing.
While it was one of the hottest days in El Salvador the Living Water staff has seen in a long time, the team came together, bonding with each other, the Living Water staff and the villagers of Santa Rosa.