Today I learned a family secret. Five years ago, my niece, her husband, and their kids had to move into a house with no running water. At the time, they were renting, and with only 30 days’ notice, they found out that their rental was going to be sold and they had to find someplace else affordable quickly. A house with no running water is what they were able to find. While living without running water, my niece has given birth to kids number 5 and 6. Living without running water and indoor plumbing for over five years is a hardship no one should have to deal with. I can only imagine what it is like with a newborn child. Taking a shower means heating up water in a 60-cup coffee maker, putting the water into a bucket and pouring it over your head. Using the toilet means collecting water from a cistern tank and pouring it into the toilet tank. This has to happen multiple times a day for a family this large.

Last week, they learned from the city that a housing development is going in nearby and they can finally get running water to their house --- for $12,000. 

100% of all funds raised toward this goal will be used for laying the pipe for water to their house, installing a water meter, and connecting everything.  

We'd like to reach the goal as soon as possible. Five years is long enough. We are grateful for whatever you can spare. You will be helping this family by giving them a sense of what it's like to have a convenience that we should be able to take for granted.