Clean water and community partnership

In the heart of Meyer, Haiti, a rural community just 10 kilometers east of Jacmel, a new wave of hope is on the horizon.

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Thanks to a transformative collaboration between Living Waters for the World Haiti and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Meyer has received a water purification system that promises to bring health, dignity and relief to families who have struggled far too long without reliable access to clean water.

Among the many voices celebrating this change is Father Guy Bellange, leader of the local parish, who has personally experienced the hardships caused by the lack of clean water.

"I don’t like purifying water with chemicals," he explains. Instead, Bellange had been traveling into the city of Jacmel to fill containers with what treated water he could find.

This routine, which is time-consuming and physically demanding, has now come to an end with the installation of the Living Waters for the World purification system. Bellange is not only grateful for the system — he’s also committed to its success. He has pledged to assist with its maintenance, understanding that clean water is not just a convenience but a necessity for community well-being.

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Nurse Monia Jean, who leads health education for Living Waters for the World Haiti, adds, “A local mother shared with me how difficult it has been to provide safe water for her children. Families like hers have had to walk long distances or spend money on chemicals to ensure safe drinking water. Now, they have reliable access to clean, affordable, and sustainable water right in their neighborhood.”

For this mother in Meyer, the new system means peace of mind. It means no longer worrying about whether water will make her family sick. And most importantly, it means hope — hope that her children will grow up strong, healthy, and with every opportunity to thrive.

As Bellange embraces the system and prepares to serve in a new way, his message is clear: “When clean water flows, so does hope, dignity, and the promise of a better future.”

A new Living Waters for the World water system is now installed in the community of Meyer, Haiti, in partnership with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. The system, installed solely by Haitians, is located at a very large Catholic church. The church has more than 1,000 parishioners and also operates a school on site. Upon dedication of the system on June 1, clean water is now being provided to the school children, the church community, and the Meyer community at large. The church and the people of this community have been in severe need of clean water for many years and have shown great interest in the new water system. More than 300 enthusiastic people attended the dedication celebration.