Water for a Village

The United Nations Declaration on Human Rights considers clean water is essential to be able to realise all other human rights, but too many people in our world still lack access to it.

The reality for many that live in rural Ethiopia is that the water they drink may make them sick. Imagine knowing that each time you gave your child a drink of water, you were risking their health and possibly their life.

Access to clean drinking water is vital for all human beings. It’s essential for health, education and community and to break the cycle of poverty.

At Water for a Village our vision is clean water for everyone.

We’re working on making our vision a reality one village at a time.

A child sits along a fenceline looking up at the sky Play Video

Making a difference

Catherine Wheatley is a force to be reckoned with. She and her husband, Pete, started Water for a Village (WFAV) in 2014 from their home in Tasmania, Australia. They raised funds to install five water sources in Ethiopia, following a trekking holiday Catherine had taken in the Simien Mountains.

Since then, Water for a Villlage has grown and raised over $500,000 in funds and installed over 100 water sources, supporting over 41,000 people! WFAV is accredited with Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and is governed by a volunteer board lead by three key values:

To create change with bravery, trust and with whole heart.

How we work

Join the Village

We’re all part of the Global Village and we can all make a difference. It doesn’t have to cost lots of money, or take lots of time, but by committing to taking a small action we can make a difference to the lives of others – whether it’s next door or on the other side of the world.

Sign up for updates on our work and tips on how you can make a difference in your community too.

Fenced water source being admired by onlookers
Boy plowing fields with cows

Get involved

Whether you support Water for a Village, another cause or choose to make a difference in your own community it all counts. We’re all connected. We’re all a part of the global village.