Dear Friends and Family, 

I hope you are doing well! I am currently a Senior here at Yale University studying Cognitive Science. I want to share some exciting news with you: I will be part of a team with Filter of Hope and Christian Union that will travel to Guatemala on May 30 through June 5, 2026. We will be working in impoverished communities with families who are suffering in ways we cannot even imagine. Where we are going, most people have no access to clean water to drink or cook with. Many people collect their water from rivers and streams that are full of bacteria, parasites and contaminants. Even people with piped water in their houses are facing similar challenges.

According to the World Health Organization, one child dies every 20 seconds due to water-related illnesses. The vast majority of these deaths are caused by diarrhea and can be prevented. While children are the most at risk, keeping adults healthy so that they can work full time to provide for their families is also a high priority of Filter of Hope. 

While in-country, we will be going house-to-house with local church contacts to distribute water filters to families. Filter of Hope has developed a state-of-the-art water filter that uses the same technology found in kidney dialysis machines. Each filter will produce up to 250 gallons of clean water everyday, and will last at least 10 years when maintained properly. While delivering clean water is a big part of what we hope to accomplish, we will also use the filter as a tool to share the Gospel at each house. The illustration of dirty water being made clean is a powerful illustration of what Jesus does for those who believe in him: he makes us pure and transforms us into a new creation. This message of hope will be shared with each family who receives a filter. Regardless of their response to the Gospel, the local church serving alongside us will follow up with each of them.

In order to go on the trip, I have a goal to raise $1,250 plus the cost of my plane tickets by April 15, 2026. This money will go to cover all of my travel expenses, plus filters that will provide families with clean water for ten years.

Thank you for your support!