Beneficiaries: 124 participants
Expected completion date: February 2027
Country: Thailand
Child development centre: Pastorcitos Child Development Centre
Executive summary
Children and families in northern Thailand are facing a growing water crisis that directly affects health, safety and participation in child development programming. Four satellite Compassion centres serving under Bann Mea Hair Tai Church rely on natural water sources that are no longer reliable or safe, particularly during the dry season from January to June each year. As a result, children and caregivers have experienced waterborne illnesses including diarrhea, urinary tract infections, kidney stones and leptospirosis.
In the past, natural water sources met community needs. However, environmental conditions in the area have changed significantly. Water sources that once sustained these communities are now polluted and during the dry season are often unavailable. Children and parents attending weekly church-based activities often have no access to water for toilets, cooking, cleaning and basic hygiene. These conditions increase health risks and limit the church’s ability to provide a safe and supportive environment for children’s development.
The church has tried to collect water in tanks and purify it through allowing sediment to settle, boiling the water to kill germs and filtering it using clean cloths before consumption. However, this method has proven ineffective, especially during the rainy season, when the water is murky and full of sediment. During the dry season, there is no water to be collected. This has led to increased costs for the churches as they are forced to use large portions of their budgets to purchase filtered water.
This intervention will improve water infrastructure across four satellite locations of the Bann Mea Hair Tai Church in Thailand by strengthening water piping, increasing water storage capacity and installing appropriate filtration and pumping systems. These improvements will provide children and families with safe water for drinking, sanitation and program activities, reducing waterborne illness and supporting consistent participation in holistic child development programming.
Background
Bann Mae Hair Tai Church has partnered with Compassion Thailand since 2007 and has delivered a holistic child development ministry for 16 years. The project currently serves 263 children across one main project site and four satellite locations: San Pu Loei, Mae Sapueang, Phatabaokhee and Mae Pi Kee. Caregivers’ livelihoods in these satellite communities are based on farming and rice cultivation. Families experience poverty, limited access to education and ongoing health challenges.
For the past two years, the local churches and community members have taken steps to address these challenges. Church and centre staff have worked with community leaders to conserve watershed areas, reforest upstream sources, build check dams and collect water in tanks. Despite these efforts, water shortages persist and existing methods are no longer effective or affordable, particularly during periods of drought. Church and centre staff know that providing clean drinking water is urgently needed to protect children’s health and support their development.
The need
Access to clean and sufficient water is essential for protecting children’s health and maintaining safe learning environments. However, the four satellite locations served under Compassion’s church partner at the Bann Mae Hair Tai Church in Thailand rely on natural water sources for daily use and consumption. Sadly, over the last two years, local water sources have dried up, placing particular strain on the local churches during the long dry season. Centre staff report children are experiencing several water-borne illnesses including leptospirosis, kidney stones, diarrhea and urinary tract infections. Without reliable infrastructure, water shortages during the dry season will persist, meaning families may be unable to continue participating in program activities.
With your generous gift, the four remote locations of San Pu Loei, Mae Sapueang, Pha Ta Baw Khee and Mae Pi Kee will receive upgraded water systems. Improved piping systems will be installed, along with water storage tanks and water filtration systems. Water pumps will also be installed in critical areas such as the San Pu Loei and Mae Pi Kee locations to ensure year-round access to clean water for drinking, cooking, washing and sanitation. During the dry season when household water supplies are unavailable, families will be able to collect clean water from the project sites, reducing dependence on unsafe sources. These improvements will reduce illness, support consistent program attendance and strengthen the church’s capacity to safeguard children’s health and development.
What your gift will do
Your generous gift will provide access to clean and safe water for 124 children at four of Compassion’s satellite locations in Thailand, including
- Water storage tanks
- PVC pipes and materials for water piping systems
- Water purification systems
- Electrical wiring and switches
- Water pumps
- Transportation
- Skilled labour
- Construction materials to build bases for water tanks
Logistics
Local contribution: US$3,349.59
Handling of funds: Compassion Thailand will work with centre leadership to ensure this project stays within budget.
Monitoring and follow-up: Implementation will be overseen by Bann Mae Hair Tai Church leadership in coordination with the partnership facilitator, who will monitor progress, verify completion of planned activities and ensure the work is carried out as intended.