As the year comes to a close, many of us gather with loved ones, making meals and making memories. The same is true for families in Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador, but too many are still doing so without the benefit of safe water.

Cova is working in partnership with the Ministry of Health in all three countries to identify priority regions so that we expand our safe-water program into rural communities with the highest poverty rates and poorest health.

In existing partner communities, we work closely with volunteer community Health Promoters, who are not only consistent boots-on-the-ground but, in our experience, also pretty special people. They have their finger on the pulse of  their communities, and they commit their own time to providing support for the health and wellbeing of their families and friends and neighbors.

Unsafe drinking water is one of the greatest single threats to human health. In recognition of this, and in collaboration with Cova, Health Promoters take on the additional role of water quality monitoring — completing regular field tests, and reporting results to ensure that safe, treated water continues to flow into homes.

One such Health Promoter is Romelia in Morazán, Honduras. (Click here to watch more of her story!). Romelia is also a mother and a successful small farmer, and as we followed her up and down the rows of her gardens, she shared with us that she has seen firsthand how providing and ensuring safe water is like planting seeds in fertile soil—it sets the foundation for growth, resilience, and flourishing futures.

Just as a seed needs water to sprout and thrive, individuals and communities rely on safe water to unlock their potential, to help dreams take root.

While we recognize that, for many of us, this season is in part about making meals, making memories, and making resolutions, we are actually most proud of what we are making together with your support – Making Futures Bright!