Coming home to clean drinking water has made all the difference for Thai schoolgirl Satang, 9.

"When I return home from school feeling tired and I drink some clean water, I feel refreshed and more energetic at once," she says. "I can carry my younger sibling."

After many years of exposure to highly polluted drinking water, Satang’s family and the people of Lampang are overjoyed to have a source of clean water close to home.

Ten years ago, villagers had started using chemicals on their farms. Soon, pesticide cans were being carelessly disposed of and the local water supply was severely contaminated. It became impossible to drink the water.

With World Vision’s help, a water filter system has changed everything. The community now uses this facility — managed by a community savings group — to bottle and sell water. Parents are earning an income, and the clean water helps ensure better health for their children.

"We have worked very hard for many years as we want to see children’s lives improved in every area," says local co-ordinator Titipan Kadtala. "Today everyone has access to clean drinking water, their lives are better due to clean drinking water and use in their home, and family expenses have gone down. Thank you, World Vision, for providing us with clean water to drink."