WaterAid has launched its Christmas appeal 2024, ‘Where there’s water’, featuring a rural community choir.

To develop the script and the storyboard, the charity in partnership with Kenyan production company Ginger Ink, worked with the local community to ensure the accuracy of its content.

The appeal features two children, one of whom has clean water and the other who does not. The child without water is unable to join the community’s local choir as they have to collect water for their families.

Merifa, a 15-year old who features in the ad, 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. We go to choir practice three days a week. We really love it and we learn a lot.”

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According to the charity, one in ten people globally don’t have access to clean water. As a result, people – usually women and girls – will collect water from a local river which may contain diseases such as cholera and typhoid.

WaterAid film producer David Jobanputra said: “As an anthropologist, having the opportunity to make our winter campaign film in such a symbiotic way was inspirational.

“Our film reflects a real collaborative process with the community, and by harmoniously working together, we’ve created a film that is accurate and engaging.

“The choir’s dream is for their music to be heard far and wide so that people everywhere can see the beauty and joy that comes from having clean water.”