Divine Word Missionaries are committed to meeting physical needs and spiritual needs through our work around the globe. A significant portion of this year’s work focuses on addressing the issue of unequal access to water. We know that water is life, and that the lack of it has dire consequences for individuals and communities. 

We’re working to improve access to clean water in areas where our missionaries work. Read on for an update on our latest project to build 150 wells worldwide.

How a Water Well Works in Communities

While many of us have never known anything different than turning on a tap and having clean, running water on demand, that is not the reality for about 4 billion people, who experience severe water scarcity at least one month each year. Beyond that statistic, more than 2 billion people live in countries where the water supply is inadequate. Access to clean drinking water is essential for the lives of people of all ages and livestock, which is crucial to local economies.

How Does Access to Clean Water Affect People’s Lives?

Lacking access to safe water does more than disrupt daily routines; it causes mass displacement, increases vulnerability to disease and puts a strain on education systems. As many as 700 million people may be displaced from their homes due to intense water scarcity by 2030. According to World Vision, women and girls around the world spend an estimated 250 million hours carrying water every day, walking an average of 3.7 miles to haul 44 pounds of water for their families. 

This may be the reality now, but Divine Word Missionaries are looking to change the future of water access. 

We know that having access to safe water can save time, allowing children to stay in school and continue their education instead of walking miles a day to a water source. Clean water also saves lives. Access to clean drinking water and water for washing mitigates diseases, improves hygiene and enhances the quality of life for individuals and communities. 

How Are Divine Word Missionaries Providing Clean Running Water?

From improving living conditions to starting parishes, God has called us to all corners of the world to make his name known. Now, to celebrate our 150 years of ministry, we have a goal to build 150 water wells for communities facing water scarcity. 

Hear firsthand from one of our missionaries in Paraguay on how this project is developing.

A Legacy of Water and Partnership: Our Work in Paraguay 

As part of our goal to build 150 wells and water systems worldwide, we’re planning to install 10 water tanks in a rural region of southeast Paraguay. The installation of these tanks is made possible through the generosity of Divine Word Missionaries’ benefactors in the United States.

Father Viet Hoang SVD recently met with local families in the Fleitas Cué pastoral zone, which is about 25 miles northeast of St. Peter’s, a Divine Word parish in San Pedro del Paraná. His meeting marked a crucial step in preparing for the installation of the 10 water tanks. Before the first tank is delivered or installed, Fr. Viet wanted to ensure that the local community was fully informed, engaged and prepared to take ownership. 

“For me, this isn’t just a construction project. It’s a covenant of collaboration rooted in faith and shared responsibility.” – Fr. Viet Hoang SVD

During the meeting, the group discussed and agreed on key points to ensure the project’s sustainability. They decided that each water tank will serve 12 families, who will collectively manage water usage and well maintenance. The land holding each tank must be officially registered as parish property to prevent disputes and ensure the well’s long-term stability. Families will cover the cost of constructing the concrete base for each tank, fostering investment, pride and stewardship. 

Each water tank will display the names of the donors who made it possible — a lasting sign of gratitude that links hearts across borders. 

“I am currently coordinating with a local company to supply these tanks and am finalizing all technical and logistical details,” Fr. Viet reports. “Everything is being done with transparency and dialogue because I believe the success of this project depends not only on the materials we use but also on the strength of the relationships we build.” 

Fr. Viet also shared his reflection on how this water project is part of the broader work that Divine Word Missionaries are doing around the world: “As we move forward, I am reminded that the 150 Water Well Project is not just about delivering water. It is about celebrating 150 years of missionary presence by planting seeds for the next 150. It is about empowering families, building peace and making faith tangible in the form of clean water.” 

How You Can Help Build Wells Around the World 

Our initiative to build wells worldwide extends beyond providing water. Communities around the globe are coming together with our missionaries to work toward a common goal. The 150 Water Well Project, in honor of our 150th anniversary, fulfills both spiritual and physical needs. Fleitas Cué in Paraguay is just one of the 150 communities we aim to serve.

Together, you can help meet the needs of countless vulnerable individuals worldwide. By your actions, you can uplift our brothers and sisters by giving the gift of physical and spiritual sustenance. 

In solidarity with our nearly 6,000 missionaries spread throughout the globe, please consider making a gift, and you will further our 150-year-old mission of bringing water to the thirsty, hope to the forgotten and Christ’s love to the margins of the world.

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