By Ana Flores, Columban Lay Missionary

As a missionary in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, I came to understand in a deeply personal way how difficult life can be without something as basic as water. What I once considered ordinary, I began to recognize as a daily struggle for many.

During my first years there, a woman told me that “rain was a blessing.” At the time, I didn’t fully understand. But later, I witnessed their reality. When it rained, families rushed to collect water—for bathing, washing clothes, and cleaning their homes. For drinking and cooking, however, they still had to buy water from far away. Their water system functioned only once a week, and during those few hours, they had to store enough to last the rest of the week.

One of the moments that stayed with me most was seeing the children’s reaction to the rain. They ran outside, laughing and bathing under the falling water. At first, I didn’t understand their joy. But over time, I realized that for them, rain meant freedom—the chance to bathe without limits. What seemed ordinary to me had become, for them, a moment of pure happiness.

Not every family can afford a water connection at home. Some walked to the nearest river to wash clothes, clean kitchen utensils, and carry water back. I remember watching them balance heavy containers as they made their way home. Even when the water wasn’t clean, they were grateful simply to have it.

In places without a nearby river, people built wells.  These wells became more than just a source of water—they became gathering places. Families washed clothes and bathed together, talking and laughing as they worked. I realized that water, while a basic necessity, also connects people and creates a sense of community.

Sometimes I joined them to collect water or sat by the riverside while they did their laundry. We shared stories about our lives and spoke about our meetings. Laundry could take hours, but for me it became a beautiful experience—time filled with simplicity, connection, and meaning.

During my house visits, I saw children suffering from skin infections and other health problems. When I asked their parents, I learned that many families could not afford medicine. These illnesses were often caused by the use of unclean water.

Pope Francis reminds us that access to safe drinking water is a basic human right essential for life, calling its absence a “disgrace to humanity.” Still, many cannot afford to have water in their homes—or even nearby.

What I witnessed is not just one story; it is the reality for millions of people. And it leaves us with a question: if we truly understand the value of water, can we remain indifferent to those who live without it?

These experiences changed me. They opened both my eyes and my heart. Water is no longer something I use without thinking—it is something I now see as precious, fragile, and deeply connected to human dignity. Water is life, and yet not everyone has access to it.