A tank full of water, a little less to worry about

For Ms Pham Thi The, a 1,000-litre water storage tank does more than help her family manage water supply interruptions. It also brings greater peace of mind to her daily life.

“I have dreamed of a day like this for so long. Now that I have a water storage tank, I am so happy.”

For Ms Pham Thi The, born in 1949 and living in Quarter 4, Thong Nhat Ward, Phu Tho Province, having access to piped water does not mean water is always available when her family needs it. Water supplies are frequently interrupted, and without a storage container, she has to travel long distances to collect water whenever the supply is cut off. This makes her already demanding daily household tasks even more difficult.

At 77, Ms The continues to care for her two grandchildren. One is 20 years old, quiet and experiencing mental health difficulties, while the other is in Grade 7. Ensuring that her family has enough water is not only an essential need but also a constant concern amid her daily caregiving responsibilities.

When water supplies are unreliable, seemingly simple tasks such as cooking, cleaning the house and maintaining personal hygiene become more difficult. These challenges can be particularly burdensome for older people who continue to care for other family members.

A practical solution, a meaningful difference

Through the Women-led Inclusive Climate Resilient (WICR) WASH Project, Ms The’s household received a 1,000-litre water storage tank.

The tank enables her family to store water when it is available, helping them better manage periods of limited or interrupted supply and reducing the burden of having to travel long distances to collect water.

For many people, a water storage tank may be an ordinary household item. For Ms The, however, it is a practical lifeline that helps her family live with greater security and peace of mind.

Her story is a powerful reminder that improving water, sanitation and hygiene conditions is about more than building infrastructure. It is also about creating conditions for healthier lives, preserving dignity and enabling people to better care for their loved ones.

Making good hygiene possible for everyone

Global Handwashing Day, observed annually on 15 October, reminds us of the essential role of handwashing with soap in protecting health.

However, raising awareness alone is not enough. Families also need adequate access to water and practical solutions to maintain a reliable supply for daily use, particularly in areas where water services are frequently interrupted. Without these basic conditions, even simple hygiene practices can be difficult to maintain.

By helping vulnerable households access solutions that respond to their practical needs, the WICR project contributes to improved hygiene conditions, fewer daily challenges and a better quality of life.

17,833 Stories of Change — And a journey that continues

Ms The’s story is one of 17,833 stories of change associated with the WICR project.

Implemented by East Meets West Foundation (EMWF) in partnership with the JTI Fund (JTI Foundation), the project is being carried out in Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces during 2025–2026.

The project works in partnership with local stakeholders, including the Thanh Hoa Centre for Rural Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Women’s Union and the Phu Tho Provincial Women’s Union, to help communities access water and sanitation solutions suited to local needs.

Every household has its own circumstances. Sometimes, meaningful change begins with a simple solution — a place to store water when the supply is interrupted.

A healthier future starts with ensuring that essential needs are met.

Together with communities, local partners and supporters, we can continue advancing sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene solutions so that more families can live healthier lives with greater confidence and peace of mind.