Well Making

It’s easy to take a necessity for granted when you’ve never experienced the lack of it. Especially when it comes to something as fundamental as water. Sweden has almost unlimited access to fresh water, and in my eighteen-year lifetime I haven’t experienced dearth of it once. For many people around the world, that’s not a matter of course. What I don’t even reflect over is life or death to someone else. But with privilege comes power, and with power comes responsibility.

When my mental illness was at its worst, hoping to contribute to a better world was my only motivation. One of those dreams, that I’ve had for many years, is to fund a water well in Africa. I always expected that it would have to wait until I was older. I think that’s one of the main reasons why people don’t act. We always find a reason not to, something that makes it seem too difficult, maybe even impossible. But it costs us so little to make a big change. I’ve realized that now. Therefore, as my senior project, I’m aiming to raise $10,000 for Well Aware, to make clean water accessible in areas worst affected by the water crisis.

Water is a human right, not a luxury. It’s not a sacrifice or a matter of priorities – it’s our duty to help those who are not as fortunate. Every dollar donated helps improve someone’s quality of life.

Together we can make a difference, one well at a time. Thank you.

The world contains enough freshwater to provide seven billion people. Still, nearly 1 billion people lack access to clean water. This is due to the fact that the water is unevenly distributed and too much of it is wasted, polluted and un-sustainably managed (UN).

Water Issues Are Women’s Issues

Women spend 400 million hours per day collecting water from polluted sources. They walk on average 3.5 miles daily (USAID, 2013), giving up education, family time and profitable work. Lack of sanitation facilities (with clean water) for girls reaching puberty makes them more likely to miss school than boys (WHO and UNICEF, 2019).

Well Aware’s Effect

Due to various reasons, mainly lack of technical expertise, continued oversight and community involvement, nearly 60% of water projects in Africa fail, often within the first year. To this day, Well Aware maintains a 100% success rate, meaning that every project is still functioning and providing lasting clean water to its respective community. Girls’ education has increased by 58% in the communities touched by Well Aware.

“Without clean water, there is no health, little education, and community development is stunted. Well Aware changes all of that for the people of the communities they work with.” – Kareece Sacco, Executive Director, Well Aware

About Well Aware

Well Aware is a 501(c)3 nonprofit with headquarters in Austin, Texas. They fund and implement lasting clean water systems to drive development and empower communities in East Africa.

Well Aware believes their responsibility to their partner communities goes far beyond the drilling of a hole. Nearly 60% of water projects in Africa fail, often within the first year. 100% of Well Aware’s water systems work and they last because of realistic, responsible planning and collaboration. Their partner communities are motivated, organized, and prepared communities who need only sustainable clean water to kick-start their success. That’s why Well Aware adapts each project according to the community’s specific needs and collaborates with local leaders to ensure the water system’s long-term success.