In the heartwarming video above, Bechibila Mpuanmor, who is a disabled woman, was constantly sick as a child growing up in northern Uganda from drinking dirty water. Now, she spends her life giving back, and giving clean water to help prevent others from getting ill.
Her determination and tenacity in her mission to provide clean water at all costs is a force of its own. She volunteers her time to educate her community on the importance of clean water.
“I have learned that no matter what situation you find yourself in, you can always turn things around,” says Bechibila.
And the product Bechibila uses to provide clean water for those in her community is just as magical as her own story.
A small packet that looks like an herbal tea bag has the power to help prevent sickness by purifying clean water. When people drink clean water they stay healthier, which helps keep kids in school, and lets parents earn incomes for their families. The packet is as beautifully formidable a force as the Bechibila.
The packet in the video above is part of P&G’s Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program. It was developed by scientists, who surprisingly used the research technology behind laundry detergent to develop P&G Purifier of Water. The technology is so simple and accessible to use in rural regions, urban centers, or disaster settings. The packet can purify 10 liters of dirty water in just 30 minutes when added to water in a bucket, stirred, and filtered.
In 2004, this program began as a non-profit initiative to provide clean water in developing countries. Today the program has provided more than 11 billion liters of clean water to emergency relief in 85 countries, and partners regularly with 150 organizations to bring clean water to all.
The packet has helped save thousands of lives to date through preventing water-borne illness, and enabling access to drinking water in times of disaster and destruction. Yes, it might seem like magic, but it has the real impact of empowering women their communities.
P&G aims to provide 15 billion liters of clean water by 2020, and they are well on track. They have brought 11 billion liters of drinking water to Haiti since the devastating hurricane in Oct. 2016.
Bechibila’s story, and this simple water purification technology reveal to what extent a little packet can do to transform lives and communities.
“Sometimes I feel sad that I can’t do the things others can. But anytime I dwell on the fact that I can’t walk, I quickly remind myself, I can still go around and help others,” says Bechibila reminding us all we each have the power to help.