Drinking Water Wells at village

The villages in which we work typically have no source of clean drinking water, and few families have any access to a water well. Instead, they have usually relied on gathering dirty water from scum-covered nearby retaining ponds, or carrying water in plastic containers from far-away rivers. Everything changes when wells are put in the village!

Wells are a joint project with the villagers. The Village Development Committee, our staff and the well drillers decide on the locations. The villagers themselves dig the initial well pit, around 20 to 30 feet deep, using hand tools (hard work!). The well driller then drills a conventional deep-water well through the bottom of the pit, and concrete ring liners are put in place, forming a cistern to hold water. The well is capped, and a hand pump installed. The Village Development Committee contracts with a particular family for the maintenance of each well. The cost of each well is under US$900, and serves 5 to 8 families.

The wells provide not only fresh, clean drinking water, but water for irrigation of vegetable gardens during the dry season. The quality of life in the village is forever changed by the addition of a well. You can sponsor a well, or a portion of one, by clicking here.