August 1, 2025
What Does It Mean to Be in The Village?
Every month, hundreds of people come together from around the world to create lasting change through The Village, our community of recurring donors fueling clean water projects and long-term sustainability. But behind every donation is a story, a reason, and a heart that chose to show up.
I recently had the pleasure of chatting with three incredible Village members – people just like you – who believe in the power of community and chose to turn their values into action. Hearing their stories reminded me just how special this community truly is, and I’m so excited to share them with you.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to be part of the Village, or what kind of people call it home, their stories speak volumes.
Let’s dive in.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and some causes/ values that are important to you?
“I’m a retired real estate appraiser, married to a retired school teacher. Jeanne and I have one daughter and two grandchildren. In addition to happily supporting Well Aware, Jeanne and I contribute to Southwest Good Samaritan and the World Food Bank, among a few other favorite charitable organizations. I also volunteer weekly with the Austin chapter of Meals on Wheels.” – Gary M.
“My name is Caroline. I am an energy specialist who has been working and serving across Africa for the past 16 years. I currently work at the African Development Bank, where I have the privilege of advising African governments and the private sector on energy solutions for their countries, industries, and communities. I am especially passionate about causes related to maternal and child health, education, and the empowerment of youth.” – Caroline M.
“My name is Alvin, and I’m a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner living in New York after spending nearly 10 amazing years in Austin, Texas. I’m passionate about expanding access to healthcare, especially for underserved communities, because everyone deserves the basics to live a healthy, dignified life. That’s why I love supporting Well Aware – access to clean water, like access to healthcare, changes everything. I am passionate about causes that create lasting impact for underprivileged populations, and I’m proud to be part of this incredible mission.” – Alvin S.
What inspired you to become a monthly donor to Well Aware?
“We knew Sarah from her time in Crockett, Texas, and her mother, Julie, is a high school classmate. We are blessed to have the family and opportunities we have and want to give back to the community, but we also want to reach out beyond our borders (early in our married life, we supported a couple of children through the Save the Children fund). Once we became familiar with the Well Aware plan and the organization, it was natural to make a commitment for regular support, which we know makes strategic planning easier and more effective.” – Gary M.
“I first met Sarah and Mike in 2010, when I was working as an engineer at Davis and Shirtliff Limited in Kenya. They had come in seeking a solar-powered water pumping solution for a community in remote Kenya. Little did I know that this would mark the beginning of a 15-year journey—one in which I would witness them transform lives and communities across Kenya and the region. Sarah and Mike initially started as my clients, but after helping them design and install around ten water wells, I told them I wanted to join their cause to bring this life-transforming resource to underserved communities. That’s how I became a monthly donor.” – Caroline M.
“I feel incredibly privileged to have grown up in a place where access to clean water and other basic needs was never a concern, and that’s not something I take for granted. It’s important to me to acknowledge that not everyone has that same access, and to actively support efforts that help change that. I was inspired to become a monthly donor to Well Aware because I deeply believe in their mission and admire the passion and diligence they bring to their work. Their thoughtful engagement with Village members makes it easy to feel connected to the impact, which continues to inspire my ongoing support!” – Alvin S.
What does being part of a giving community like The Village mean to you?
“We enjoy the fellowship and knowing the impact and success you all have had on the people you serve. Being a small part of that gives us a sense of fulfillment.” – Gary M.
“I joined the Well Aware team on a site visit about nine years ago to gain firsthand experience of their work on the ground. They had installed a water well a few years earlier and were exploring the possibility of drilling a second one for the same community. What I witnessed deeply moved me.
There I was, in my own country, watching small children, the same age as my daughter at the time, risking their lives by climbing into deep wells to fetch water. When I spoke with the mothers nearby and asked about the dangers, they confessed that they lose a few children every year to drowning. Many of these children also didn’t have the opportunity to attend school. Later, we visited the site of the first well, and I was amazed to see a school had been built nearby. With the time saved from no longer having to fetch water, the children were now able to attend school and begin to change their stories, and their futures. It was a no-brainer for me. I could clearly see that my contribution was making a real and lasting difference.” – Caroline M.
“Being a Village member is both fulfilling and empowering. It’s an honor to be part of a community that supports an organization like Well Aware – one that truly lives its mission and genuinely values its members. Knowing that my contributions help create real, lasting change for communities in need is incredibly meaningful. I feel constantly inspired to continue supporting Well Aware because of the profound and visible impact their projects have had on the communities they serve.” – Alvin S.
How does water access, or Well Aware’s work, resonate with your personal experiences or beliefs?
“To know there is a need. To know there is a solution to that need. To trust in the people providing that solution. My personal belief is that God works through people to do good works, and we have been made stewards of the land and natural resources. Those two beliefs are foundational to what Well Aware does so well to accomplish.” – Gary M.
“I am now based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and through my work across African countries, I have seen a significant need for both water and energy to drive the continent’s development. My work is deeply rooted in the water-energy-food nexus. Africa is rich in natural resources, and I believe that if these are harnessed effectively, the continent can achieve sustainable development with dignity for its people. I continue to work in the energy sector, fully aware that my efforts have a strong impact on water resource management, food security, and industrialization. Well Aware’s work reaches some of the most underserved communities, places where people have often lost hope of ever accessing adequate and safe water. Through their efforts, they’ve given children in these communities a chance to rewrite their stories and build a better future.” – Caroline M.
“My parents are immigrants from the Philippines, and I’ve had the opportunity to visit and see firsthand how a lack of access to basic needs, like clean water, can deeply affect a community. While every region has its own unique challenges, witnessing those conditions opened my eyes to the critical importance of sustainable solutions and compassionate intervention. Well Aware’s work resonates deeply with my belief that everyone deserves the dignity of safe water and a healthy life. Their commitment to long-term impact aligns with the values I hold close, and it’s a cause I’m proud to stand behind.” – Alvin S.
What would you say to someone who’s on the fence about joining The Village?
“That Well Aware is good at what they do, and Well Aware, like any non-profit organization, benefits greatly from a reliable and significant source of funds.” – Gary M.
“I came across a powerful statement on the Well Aware website: every $20 you give provides clean water to one person. Think about that. For the cost of lunch or a couple of coffees, you can change life. Permanently! I’ve worked on countless projects across Africa, and I’ve seen firsthand that the Well Aware model works. It delivers results. If you’re fortunate enough to have clean water at the turn of a tap, I urge you not to take it for granted. Think of the child in a remote village whose future will be transformed by your generosity. And if you can, go a step further, visit a project and see the impact for yourself. One small act from you can ripple out into a lifetime of change for someone else.” – Caroline M.
“JOIN JOIN JOIN! Being a Village member is incredibly fulfilling—you get to be part of a compassionate, committed community that’s truly changing lives through access to clean water. When I was living in Austin, I loved attending Well Aware’s in-person community events, meeting other Village members, and experiencing the impact firsthand, surrounded by equally passionate people. Even now, living in New York, I still feel deeply connected because of how communicative and engaging Well Aware is with its members. It’s an amazing organization that leads with integrity, impact, and heart—and joining is one of the best ways to make a real difference.” – Alvin S.
On behalf of the Well Aware team and our beneficiaries, thank you, Gary, Caroline, and Alvin, for sharing your stories, and thank you to our Village members who show up month after month to provide not only clean water to people they may never meet, but also open doors for brighter futures. It’s important we show love to our neighbors more than ever.