By Alix Wachendorf
Recently, several stories have appeared in the press that mentioned charities and their dishonest fundraising efforts. One such story, released by ABC news, reported that a leukemia charity used less than one percent of its donations on its patients or programs.
We are very proud to say that 100% of all of your donations go directly to drilling wells, educating villagers on proper sanitation and hygiene, and providing women with microfinance training.. Niger is still the world’s poorest country and is only able to provide about ten percent of the wells its people need. With matched funds and additional, long-term support provided by our partner World Vision, each donation is multiplied 5 times.
Drilling a Well is a Complex and Costly Process
Along with World Vision, we work with highly trained and experienced local water engineers who drill the wells and tap into underground aquifers in Niger. Because water from underground aquifers is usually found as deep as 250-300 feet below ground, it takes heavy-duty machinery and several days to access it. Water samples must be sent to a lab to ensure safety and once approved, workers are able to install the equipment required to render the well operational.
Donations allow us to ensure sustainability
We are the only U.S.-based safe water foundation that works with each village for 15+ years beyond well drilling. This enables us to:
- Instill good health habits and put practices in place that allow children to grow into their responsibilities as adults, which results in long lasting and generational change.
- Involve village residents in maintaining the well, contribute to a repair fund, and learn to make repairs.
- Teach villagers how to use drip farming techniques with their newly established supply of safe water. This results healthier diets and allows those with additional crops to sell them at the local market.
Wells Bring Hope ensures that all of our donations go to helping the people in the villages of Niger by providing access to safe water and sanitation. We are able to do this by keeping our overhead very low. We are a primarily volunteer-run organization with just one paid employee. All of our operating expenses are underwritten by our corporate partner Panda Restaurant Group, which enables us to direct 100% of every donor dollar to a well project.
Get involved by volunteering or starting a Water Circle today.
