Naomi once had no choice; she had to drink dirty water. But now a deep-well borehole has brought clean water and so much more to her community in Kenya.

Naomi’s family shared the water with livestock and wild baboons. It often made them sick, but they had no choice but to drink it.

Occasionally, Naomi would leave the house at 3 a.m. to beat the rush of people, and she’d return as late as 6 p.m. After the long walk, Naomi says, “Knowing I had to get water again tomorrow tortured me.

Naomi’s family now benefits from the well, storage tank, water station, and pipeline system World Vision began installing in 2012. The well serves about 2,000 people in their area, as well as about 600 children and teachers at four schools.

6K (3.73 miles) is the average distance women and children in Africa have to walk for water – water that you wouldn’t dare drink.

Find out how you can run or walk 6K with your church, family, or friends so that more women and children don’t have to.

Photo©2016 World Vision, Chris Huber