I directed the WHI Water Program from its inception in 2004 until I retired in 2022. As we worked in the poorest villages in the poorest countries of the world, it became very apparent that the lack of water was a major limiting factor to any kind of long-term development. A safe and year-round reliable water source near people’s homes was absolutely essential for health, food security, and stability. It is a bedrock for further improvements.
In most places, there is clean water right under people’s feet. For thousands of years, people have been digging wells by hand to supply their needs; however, periods of drought, including annual dry seasons, leave hand-dug wells empty, leading to great hardships where people had to carry water over great distances or temporarily move to find water. Plus, hand-dug wells are easily contaminated. A properly constructed drilled well draws water from deep underground that produces safe drinking water year-round; usually, no treatment is needed. I myself have had a drilled well for my water source for 45 of my 69 years of life. I believe in drilled wells.
A WHI drilled well can supply water up to 500 people but now average about 250 people per well. The construction cost today averages $15,000, and it provides water year after year if the pump is properly maintained. The most sustainable pump for a poor rural community is a handpump. They are easy to maintain. Yet there are hurdles which we addressed through the formation of a local well committee that manages each well. Committee members are selected by the community and trained to do specific tasks for the maintenance of the handpump. They enforce rules for use of the well and collect money to pay for repairs.
Another factor in sustainability is the quality of the pump. We pay more to have stainless steel well components below ground because the standard pumps, those most often installed by other organizations, have components that rust and break frequently whenever the water is acidic.
I have visited hundreds of the more than 1500 wells constructed by WHI. In most cases the pumps were still functioning and heavily used years later. I would ask the well caretaker what the greatest impact was from the well. 41% said that the well saved them time because it was close to their homes, where formerly they had to walk a long way. 31% said the wells improved the health of their family. 29% said the well never went dry. They all praised the well and almost universally said, “I thank God for this well.”
I always longed for a meaningful life of serving God and others, thus fulfilling the two greatest commandments as taught by Jesus. World Hope International gave me the opportunity to lead the water program until my retirement four years ago. Now I am happy to be a donor. If you want your gift to have a long-term positive impact on some of the most vulnerable families, then support the WHI Water Program.