No Clean Water? No Surgery.
A little girl desperately needed a water filter
Maria couldn’t tell you why she needed clean water. But she needed it badly.

As Chuck Roeper, Ritz Raju, and their team of University of Michigan students (pictured above with another Cuban family) approached her house, Maria and her family were waiting to receive a water filter. But Maria couldn't answer the door—she was only a few months old. Instead, her parents and grandmother welcomed the Filter of Hope team into their small home to receive their special gift. 

The family had a bucket ready for the filter. As the team prepared to install the filter, Ritz offered to hold Maria so the parents could watch and listen. 
"Please be careful"
But Maria wasn’t like any other child Ritz had held. Chuck says she had a small colostomy-like plastic bag attached to her body. “They asked Ritz to be careful not to disturb it.” 
But Maria wasn’t like any other child Ritz had held. Chuck says she had a small colostomy-like plastic bag attached to her body. 
Maria and Ritz
“The parents only told us that Maria had intestinal problems, but nothing more.”

After the team installed the filter, they filled the bucket with water and dirt. When they ran the water through the filter it came out crystal clear, but they further explained that all of the harmful microscopic bacteria had also been removed. 
An extreme reaction
When the parents drank it, they began sobbing. It’s common for people to be very happy when they receive the filter, but the mom and dad’s reaction seemed a little extreme. 
When the parents drank it, they began sobbing.
Then they explained Maria’s story to the Filter of Hope team.
Maria needs surgery and clean water
Chuck remembers it well. “The parents had been told Maria needed corrective surgery, but the doctors said she couldn’t have the surgery unless they had clean water to cleanse the incision after the surgery. Her family’s income was low—they were actually squatters. They didn't have access to clean water and couldn't afford bottled water.”
“The parents had been told Maria needed corrective surgery, but the doctors said she couldn’t have the surgery unless they had clean water to cleanse the incision after the surgery.”
Now Maria could get the surgery she needed. This water filter was going to change Maria’s life!

After installing the water filter, the team talked to Maria’s mom and dad about the Living Water—the good news of Jesus. The parents had good news, too—they were already believers! As Christians, they had been praying for Maria and that day God had sent the answer.
"The Lord led us there"
It’s a life event Ritz won’t soon forget. “Meeting Maria that day was an impactful moment for me as the need for basic clean water is much more urgent than I ever imagined. I realized little Maria's life has been changed for years to come simply because the Lord led us there.” 
“I realized little Maria's life has been changed for years to come simply because the Lord led us there.”
Ritz (left) and Chuck (right) with a teammate in Cuba.
Chuck agrees. “After leaving their home, my vision for the importance of providing clean water filters increased dramatically.”

“We actually could see lives being changed right in front of us as a result of our bringing filters to people in desperate need of having clean water.”
Would you like to help families who need clean water? When you join the Community of Hope and donate $50 each month, 12 families will receive a water filter each year! Or give $100 monthly and give 24 families clean water every year. It's that simple. We'll send you photos of families who are receiving filters. You'll be helping share clean water and "Living Water" with people in desperate need of both.
Perhaps your business would like to be involved. Our partners are excited about the gift they're giving to families. Partner with us today by joining the Community of Hope!