No one who has ever been thirsty doubts that water is a life-sustaining force. For those living in many parts of the world, finding and accessing safe, clean water consumes much time that could be spent on more productive activities, such as going to school or earning an income.

The best efforts of Ghanaians, various guest governments, and aid organizations had produced a success rate of less than 30 percent for wells drilled since 1946. That is, until now. In 1985 World Vision began its Ghana Rural Water Project to find a solution to the country's thirst, since Ghana often suffers without rain six to nine months each year.

The results have been spectacular. By the end of fiscal 1999 with significant support from the Conrad N. Hilton Fund and other generous donors, World Vision had drilled 1,621 wet wells--a 62 percent success rate. In cooperation with The Carter Center and other humanitarian groups, the incidence of guinea worm--a ghastly parasite that invades human bodies via contact with infested water--has been reduced by more than 98 percent throughout Ghana.

World Vision also supplies these communities with follow-up health-care and sanitation training, leveraging the benefits of well water. Families receive help to educate their children, grow crops, and begin or expand a small business. This work by World Vision is enthusiastically embraced by villagers, starting with the gift of water.