Do you know what it feels like to have your kids go hungry? I mean, haven’t eaten for a couple of days hungry? How about thirsty? And again, not just thirsty but thirsty for a few days, thirsty. For many, this is hard to imagine, for many others, it’s not. There are things we can do.

And what about having some limitations due to accidents, injuries + disabilities? Having some uncertainty of how to provide the basics for your family.

I have one. What about being a widow and having your home in disrepair. Unable of how to handle it and the 10,000 other things your spouse was overseeing. This added on top of your heavy weight of grief. I actually know this one.

Yes, some of us can resonate more with certain needs due to our own personal experiences. That is exactly why we have provided an array of giving areas because we KNOW what a difference it makes in your own life when you can pour out a little love into an area where you were hurt. This is where PAIN finds PURPOSE.

So let’s see which one pulls on your heartstrings, or reminds you of a loved one. Because these make FABULOUS Christmas gifts for the hard to buy for. And we have a terrific one for a Teachers appreciation gift.

Just click on the image and it will take you to our giving catalog where you can donate towards any of these projects.

Clean water- it's needed to survive. And yet I take it for granted every.single.day.

You would think that after being around these precious people, and seeing their very real struggle of capturing enough water to make it through a day, I would be more conservative with my water use. Somehow the endless abundance of water free flowing out of our piped in faucets washes away some of the intense memories I come home with. Still, I don’t completely forget, just enough to feel a bit okay with how we choose to use our abundance of water on a daily basis. I do wrestle with it frequently though… the knowledge and awareness of need around the world and the sheer abundance we live with. So, when I turn on the faucet I frequently find myself praying for those who are thirsty. Praying for those who are thirsty and hungry… walking miles for the hopes of a bucket full of water that will pass as “good enough”. But is it… good enough? Or can I do more to help easy their burden?

In Butere, Western Kenya, they are addressing these needs by putting in Fresh Water Stations. These locations are called "Tsisevere,” meaning “A GATHERING PLACE” in the local luhya language. People will walk miles and miles to water, after all it is needed to simply survive. Many times it is the children that are sent for the water because it takes a substantial amount of time and the Mama’s have much work to do. In most areas they are walking miles, with a bucket to fill from a marshy pond or a contaminated creek. Just getting the water into the bucket can take a substantial amount of time. Imagine the blessing of having a spout of fresh water pouring out. The ability to slip your bucket underneath and the joy of seeing it fill to the rim with fresh, sparkling clean, water.

Each clean water station serves 2-4 villages. A village consists of approx. 50 homesteads of families, so one simple, fresh spring water station can serve 100-200 families with their daily water needs. It is $400 to construct one station that serves up to 200 families. Assuming most families in the area probably have 6-8 people living with them that is a total cost of .25 cents per person. WOW - think about that for a minute. .25 per person for clean water that will serve up to 4 villages. The thought of that is humbling to me, .25 a day isn’t going to make or break it for me, or anyone else in my family for that matter. But people investing .25 cents per person in a two village range changes their lives FOREVER, and for generations to come.

We have started this project at $100 and as we gather 4 donations it will cover one station - but if you want to donate towards this with a smaller amount you certainly can. Just head over to our “DONATE” tab and leave a note in the comments of what project you want it to go to.

And can you do me a favor? When you turn on the tap will you join me in praying for those who are thirsty?

If you want to read more about other giving projects check out the links below, or head over to our giving catalog. Also make sure and join our FB page at Pamoja.love

Together we can make a difference!

Other Giving Catalog Projects:

Shoe Drive Project

Technology in Kibera Slum

Medical Clinic in Kibera Slum

Bananas for kids

Christmas Food Bundles for Widows