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

Nearly 600 students attend Saviour King Educational Centre in Kibera Slum, Nairobi, Kenya. We have seen first hand how much these kids LOVE their school and their teachers. This place is beyond just a school. This center is filled with HOPE BRINGERS (teachers and staff) that speak into these children’s lives, bring them a solid education, along with the encouragement to DREAM BIG and GO FOR IT! No wonder these kids love school.

This isn’t the only reason these children love coming to school. They also come for the food. The meals they are provided at school can easily be the only solid meal they may receive that day. So imagine the thrill when 600 bananas arrive on the scene, along with an added dose of nutritional veggies for their lunch bowls.

That is what a $100 donation can achieve. The basic cost of one families holiday meal can light up the faces of 600 children! We would love to be able to offer this to the school kids once a month.

What if a classroom of kids gave $4 per child to cover one days food gift? Or what if co-workers came together and instead of a HUGE outpouring of food for the staff party you put some of the budget towards bananas? When many people are willing to invest their “little”, together it amounts to a lot. That is what we LOVE about our nonprofit. It is all about working together as we give with the little we have to accomplish something BIG in the name of LOVE. Pamoja Love. Together Love.

If this is something that makes your heart sing at the idea of - please click this link : https://www.pamoja.love/givingcatalog There you will find the 8 giving catalog projects we are highlighting this year. Click the “DONATE” button below the project you would like to join in. And make sure to keep checking back on our blog, we will be sharing more stories about the incredible people we are partnering with to make a difference around the world.

We would love to have you be a part of the Pamoja Love family!

If you didn’t happen to read our previous post on the Teachers Helping Teachers Around the World - then you will want to make sure and click that link (article title) and read up on what community this particular project serves.