Water Wells for Africa (WWFA)

History

————— the power of one —————

Kurt Dahlin was raised in Venice, California as one of eight children. As a young man he enjoyed outdoor adventures, one of which led him to Costa Rica on a surfing trip. A yearning for travel quietly crept into his life, and as he experienced the world he became increasingly concerned with humanitarian needs.

On one trip in September 1994 Kurt traveled around Southern Malawi, meeting community leaders and indigenous village elders. At the time, Malawi was ranked as one of the poorest countries in Africa. He was struck by the painful daily struggle to obtain safe drinking water. Young girls were walking several hours a day to find diseased water, and carry 40lbs. buckets on their heads. His heart broke and was compelled to  bring the treasure of water to a thirsty people. This experience soon shaped Kurt’s “Water Wells for Africa” (WWFA) project.

one of many

In May 1996, the Water Wells For Africa project installed its first borehole well in Mchiwa/Mulanje district, with donations from actors Charlie Sheen, Carey Elwes and Hollywood stuntman Eddie Braun. Seeing the transformation of a village through a simple well was a euphoric accomplishment for everyone involved. As the project gained momentum priority was given to the poorest communities and to the most vulnerable regions of Southern Malawi.

Basing its efforts in Manhattan Beach, California, the Water Wells For Africa project continued to grow. By the end of 2000, the project had brought clean water to 26,000 people. In the next six years that number increased 500%. In 2006, an annual report noted the project’s next major accomplishment, “We are thrilled to say that over the past ten years our effort has led to 76 wells being opened allowing access to disease-free water in rural villages throughout Malawi.” After a decade of first-hand experience with the daily struggle for water and the drastic improvement made by water wells, Kurt Dahlin wanted to do more. He would soon kindle fresh motivation from one man.

mpungatete village

It was Feston Singano who sparked Kurt’s desire to start WWFA’s largest project at that time. Singano was the Chief Village Headman who oversaw 900 families that had been displaced due to lack of water in their ancestral lands. They would need 4 wells in order to return. Unfortunately, the Water Wells For Africa project only had funding for 1 well. However, moved by Singano’s plea, Kurt uttered what would become his new personal mantra, “I will be your beggar.” At that time Kurt vowed to do whatever it would take to help the people of Mpungatete return to their ancestral soil. It was time for the Water Wells For Africa project to seek a new direction.

More on the Mpungatate Project

WWFA incorporated

With fresh resolution Water Wells For Africa officially incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit in March 2007. Many of those involved from the project’s inception helped make it reality. The dearly held values of the project fueled WWFA’s  core mission to provide adequate supply of clean and safe water to rural African communities where none existed. New support immediately began to surface.

Proven Success to Date

As of 2014, WWFA has effectively brought sustainable water to over 260,000 people. According to the annual well inspection survey, 97% of WWFA wells are in operation. This figure includes hand pumps that were installed in 1996 and 1997. Now standing as one of the earliest water projects operating in Africa, we are confident that our mission, values and work—with an emphasis on maintenance training and community leadership empowerment—will keep each project operating for a generation.

THE NEED

————— a silent emergency —————

There is more than enough fresh water in the world for domestic use, agriculture and industry, however, the poor are largely excluded from this globally recognized “human right.” The millions forced to collect water from drains, ditches and streams suffer a deprivation that threatens life, destroys opportunity and severely undermines human dignity. This is the problem, and it can all be avoided.

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a global issue

Across much of the developing world, “unclean water is an immensely greater threat to human security than violent conflict”¹. Sadly, children’s vulnerability makes them the greatest bearers of this tragedy. Each year an estimated 2.2 million children die from diarrhea² and 443 million school days are lost to water-related illnesses¹. Most notably this crisis could be prevented by the provision of three fundamental foundations of human progress: delivering clean water, removing waste water and providing sanitation.

the african burden

Rural peoples harbor the majority of this cruel, subtle crisis. The African continent faces the greatest challenge of any region of the world with roughly 1 of 3 (330 million) people not using a clean water source. Eighty-four percent of these people live in rural areas. This represents an increase of 66 million people since 1990⁵ who do not have a clean water source. Unfortunately, aid commitments for solutions targeting rural populations are declining while aid for urban solutions has increased 60% since 2000⁶. As a result, on any given day more than 50% of hospital beds in Sub-Saharan Africa are filled with water/hygiene related illnesses⁶.

women and girls

In rural settings it is traditionally women and young girls who bear the responsibility of obtaining their family’s water supply. In Sub-Saharan Africa, 68% of the rural population spends more than 1 hour per trip of water collection³. That means valuable time, sometimes upwards of 3 hours a day, is lost collecting insufficient, contaminated water. Ultimately, a woman’s opportunity in education or small business ventures are entirely inhibited with this strenuous work.

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holistic development

The solution, while surprisingly straightforward, is critical for developmental progress. When implemented—the comprehensive approach of providing water, sanitation and hygiene together—has profound impact on the communities involved. In-terms of direct economic reward, every dollar invested in water and sanitation yields a $9 return⁷. While the UN suggests that a person’s basic needs can be met with a mere 20-50 litres (4-10 gal) of safe water⁸, WWFA is committed to establishing and maintaining a holistic and integrated approach. The impact is one for life.

Give now and save lives!

In Africa many people have no clean, accessible water.

Your help will allow WWFA to drill water wells and install easy-to-maintain pumps. YOU can provide life-saving water.

Right now: in the African country of Malawi, woman and children from hundreds of villages must walk many miles each day to supply their families with water. The sources of water are often inadequate and usually contaminated.

Your donation will immediately help children stay in school instead of fetching water. You will allow people to drink and cook with bacteria-free water—often for the first time in their lives.

Once installed, our wells last decades. This means your donation today will improve peoples’ lives now and for many years into the future!

Donations are processed in U.S. dollars. Thank you!

Please take a moment to donate below and bring water to thousands of people in need.