Across Africa, families and villages continue to be without the most basic sanitation or have access to clean water. In Liberia, a country still recovering from some of the most horrific civil war violence seen in the last century, Pump Aid is employing former child soldiers such as Cynthia Brown to work in consultation with the local communities to identify suitable locations and then collaborate in the construction of pumps and toilets.

Elephant Pumps and Toilets are a simple and effective solution that can be maintained by the community without the need for them to depend upon outside assistance.

Cynthia, 23, has already lived a life that is nearly impossible to identify with. At 11 years old she was abducted, held and abused by the men who had killed her parents. Pushed onto drugs, she became a soldier herself and was made to participate in many brutal actions. Cynthia eventually escaped to Ghana, fell deeper into drugs and alcohol and became pregnant.

By force of her own will, Cynthia has turned her life around. She has had a beautiful baby girl and has been trained by Pump Aid in construction techniques to work on Elephant Pump water projects. Cynthia has developed a strong purpose and a sense of pride and in her own words she wants to become “an instrument through which clean and safe water can reach my fellow Liberians.” Ultimately Cynthia wants to become a trainer at Pump Aid “to help transfer this life giving, and life saving technical knowledge”.

We at Pump Aid are proudly helping Cynthia achieve her goal – and this year you also can help her and the communities she supports. Please donate to our Christmas appeal today.

Unsafe water carries life threatening diseases. Since 1999 we have built over 7600 pumps in sub Saharan Africa. Liberia is in desperate need, this Christmas we must raise £11,500 for much needed materials to build pumps and toilets. These will have a profound effect in rural Liberian village and will also help Cynthia to deliver on her promise.

If you could make a donation now for the Christmas Appeal please visit our donation page.
Alternatively, you can also complete a donation form and send it to fundraising@pumpaid.org or Pump Aid, 32-36 Loman Street, London, SE1 0EH.