Where there’s water, there’s a way
Paralympic gold medalist and broadcaster Ellie Simmonds has shared special moments of her life through the lens of water in a new film.
The film, for WaterAid, features some never-before-seen footage of Ellie as a young girl, from learning to swim and playing with water, through to career-defining moments as a gold medal-winning swimmer at the Paralympic Games.
The film is part of WaterAid’s ‘Where there’s water’ appeal, which highlights the opportunities clean water brings and aims to raise money to help more people get access to the basic human right.
"Where’s there’s water, there’s a child with a dream, possibility, hope and a path ahead."
Narrating her story in the film, Ellie, a WaterAid ambassador for over a decade, says, "Where’s there’s water, there’s a child with a dream, possibility, hope, and a path ahead.
"Where there’s water, there’s powerful change, confidence, and progress. Where’s there’s water, there’s spirit, passion and triumph over adversity. Where there’s water, there’s joy, love, pride and life. Where there’s water, there’s a way.”
Across the world, nearly 702 million people – that’s 1 in 10 people – still do not have clean water close to home.
The film also introduces 15-year-old Merifa, from Chinganji, Malawi, whose life changed when she was able to access clean water. Now she has more time to study and sing in a choir. She has also set up a business with her sister making samosas to sell to provide an income for their family.
Merifa said, “Because we know that the water is near our home, we can go draw water and still have enough time to make our samosas and also go for choir practice. Our grades have improved too because we’re spending most of our time studying instead of going to draw water.”
Jennie York, executive director of fundraising, at WaterAid, said, “Ellie’s story and the memories she’s so kindly shared with us highlight the amazing things that can be achieved when there’s clean water.
"Our lives would be very different without access to this basic human right, but that’s the reality facing one in ten people around the world.
“We’re so grateful to Ellie for highlighting the power of water through her eyes while supporting our ‘Where there’s water’ winter appeal to raise money to change more lives with clean water.”