Hear from Our Founder:
Making a Difference
In Africa, villagers often rely on surface water (streams, ponds, or even puddles) for their water source. This water is also used for bathing, washing, and supplying water for livestock. As a result, the water is often tainted and not suitable for drinking.
However, the villagers collect this water and use it for cooking, washing, and yes – even drinking. Searching for and carrying water is commonly the responsibility of women and children (as shown in the photo below). Using every imaginable container, they carry water back to their homes and their families. Imagine spending a significant portion of your day just trying to fulfill this basic need – and being forced to rely on a water source that is likely to cause illness.
Water Wells in Africa
Now imagine the impact of a local water well, like this one that was recently drilled in Busiya Village, Uganda. This village of 15,000 previously relied upon the Buwenge swamp as their water supply. This swamp was contaminated by both animals and urban waste and the use of this water was causing widespread illness.
The construction of a water well is difficult. It takes specialized equipment and more than a little luck. These wells can take weeks and be hundreds of feet deep. Then the special moment when they strike water. “Blow” they shout as everyone celebrates.
A water well can service an entire village for years to come. It will not only save lives but will allow the villagers to use the time previously spent on the daily routine of finding and transporting water for more productive tasks… like education, skills training, and agriculture.
Diseases from contaminated water kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.
Water Wells in India
One of the water wells that we recently constructed was in Rayguden, India. The village did not previously have access to clean water. The impact of this well is enormous. Just look at the smiling faces of the villagers frolicking in the water. This is truly life changing…
ICF recognizes the critical importance of clean, safe, accessible drinking water for children and their families in Africa and India. As such, this has been a pillar in our missionary programs. During our current fiscal year, ICF has supported the drilling of 16 new water wells. This will provide thousands of families with access to this critical resource where it did not previously exist.
We have found that whenever a community receives access to clean water, everything improves – including health, education, and even livelihoods.
Update on the Girls College
We are pleased to report that the construction of the Girls College in Monrovia continues to progress according to schedule. The exterior of the second floor is nearly complete and we will begin the third floor soon. Please visit our website for regular project updates on this exciting project which will change the lives of tens of thousands of young women in Liberia.
Regular giving helps us to provide clean water along with countless other programs promoting sustainable improvements in the lives of desperately poor children and their families. We call these donors Hope Ambassadors because they help ICF to provide hope to those who truly face life and death needs in Africa and India.
God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10
Dr. David Bruenning
Founder/Int’l Director
See children fed, educated, and empowered.
Become a Hope Ambassador
It can be easy to skim past this verse, but the historical context of an “ambassador” brings a wealth of meaning. Such ambassadors or delegates, whether Jewish or Greco-Roman, came with the authority of the sender, in his place, to secure his interests. The reality is, God is making his appeal through us, and wants to secure His very own interests.