Our March Walk for Water event raised $28,000 to fund the construction of wells in Ethiopia. Our inaugural walk’s proceeds will be used by Water For All, the non-profit organization dedicated to bringing safe water to communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Read the update below!

Building wells is not an easy undertaking and building them in remote areas in Africa only adds to the challenge. Water For All completed a feasibility study requested by the Oromia Water Resource Board and then brought in their pump manufacturer’s regional manager to give a technical presentation.

Approval was granted and a driller was hired. Road conditions had to be confirmed in order to haul heavy drilling equipment on an eight-hour trek outside Addis. The rainy season lasts from July through September and can make roads impassable. Road conditions were confirmed, however and drilling should begin this month.

The initial feasibility study indicates the groundwater is safe, yet they are drilling in ‘unknown’ territory. In other words, it is not until drilling is underway that samples can be drawn and a lab can test for chemical and bacterial contamination. If the samples come back all clear, drilling can resume and wells can be utilized by the end of November.

We will keep you posted. Please note the photos — school sites for the wells.