Clean Water
The Plight of the People
It's hard for us to imagine what it would be like to walk two, three, or even four miles every day for clean water; then wait in long lines to pump enough water to fill a plastic jug, only to walk the same distance back with forty to fifty pounds of water on your head. Countless women and children are doing this every day and it's backbreaking work. They have no choice when they wake up in the morning. This is something they must do to live.
Some days are harder than others, especially on the days when it rains or when someone is sick. Those days come and people resort to collecting water from contaminated sources that are closer to their homes. People suffer because the unclean water is full of bacteria that causes a multitude of diseases and even death. 80% of all childhood illnesses in Uganda are caused by contaminated water.
Our Solution
The good news is that we are drilling wells in as many villages as possible. Every time we drill a well, it's like a miracle to the people. It is their first step to economic recovery and their solution to their fight against water-borne illness. Many of the people testify that the wells have brought peace and restored hope that poverty will one day be eradicated in their communities. Farmers can now water their crops; businesses can be started; and women can have their lives back to do other things besides walking long distances hauling heavy jugs of water. Even more, the gift of clean water is the love of Jesus in their lives.
Our Process
We work to provide long-lasting water and sanitation solutions to communities who are suffering from lack of clean drinking water. Our goal is to reach as many communities as possible where people are suffering. Our objective is much broader than to see the wells drilled and the water flowing. We want to see communities take ownership of their wells; practice good hygiene and sanitation habits; and care for their wells so they will last for the next generation.
In order to do this, we go through the following steps every time we drill a well:
Carry out a needs assessment. We select our water point locations based on our assessment of needs.
Conduct a hydro-logical survey.
Mobilize the community where the well will be drilled and help them select a Water User Committee.
Meet with the sub-county chief and community development officers.
Train the members of the Water User Committee and help them set up bylaws.
Set a schedule for the project in partnership with our drilling partner.
Introduce our drilling partner to the community.
Train the community on sanitation and hygiene (1st training).
Train the community on sanitation and hygiene 2nd training).
Drill and construct well, and test water.
Commission the well.
Monitor and conduct refresher trainings.
How you can help
The cost of drilling a deep well is $10,000. One well can transform an entire community.
Donate any amount for our next well.
