One issue left behind after the quake was numerous broken water wells.  The shaking broke equipment, busted pipes, and cracked casings leaving a vast amount of the population without access to clean water.

Project Details:

• The church property will serve as a community water resource
• Currently people are walking 2-3 miles to obtain clean water from the next village
• Clean water will be available to the children who attend school every day at the church
• Medical mission trips that were halted at this location, due to the lack of clean water, can resume
• The United Nations declared this property a disaster response location for any future disasters that may occur
• The repaired well will serve upwards of 1,000 people with clean drinking water
• In addition to the well, Water 10:42 will be installing a large water filtration system to ensure clean and safe drinking water

The first day of the training we spent learning about the wells, disassembling them, and putting them back together several times. We used specialized tools that were fabricated just for well repair. (we are planning on buying a tool kit soon).

The second day the instructors had broken the wells and we were tasked with several things that included taking the wells apart, locating the issue or issues, assembling the wells and verifying they worked properly. While we repaired the wells there were volunteers their role playing as locals who we had to barter or buy parts from. Our trainers did a great job simulating what a real world experience would be.

During the third day of the class we worked with weight simulators (that simulated deep wells), practiced balancing 20 foot sections of pipe, cutting and re-threading pipes and rods, and properly noting repairs and gps locations, so that we can start a database of our repair work.

The training class was a great learning experience and we enjoyed it a great deal. We are planning soon to take their health, sanitation, and filtration class.

In late August 2011, Water 10:42 took a team and visited our first well location outside of Lilongwe, Malawi. The purpose of our trip was to follow-up on our well construction, to assist TCI with any help we could provide on the ground, and to see the area and people who the well will be serving.

The well was drilled and installed at the new TCI property ran by Jamie and Lea Peters. The well has already allowed for the construction of new latrines and will provide the water needed for the construction of the new community center, church, children feeding center, and school.

This well will also serve as a FREE water location, serving over an estimated 1,000 people with clean life saving water. This well sits just outside area that is controlled by Government owned watering stations that are charging families a big percentage of their already small income.

While in Malawi the Water Boys attended the Trinity Church International Missions Conference and made connections with people from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Florida. During the day we spent our time working at the HOPE feeding center, a site that feeds 800+ kids a day. We worked with them to resolve some drainage issue that were causing large amounts of standing sewer water around the property. In addition, before we left, Water 10:42 was able to raise enough money to leave the HOPE feeding center enough capital to run the site for a month.

The trip was a great success and we look forward to seeing the TCI property after it is fully developed.

The Malawi well at the TCI property has been capped and is now flowing fresh clean water!! THANK YOU to everyone who helped support this project!!! We will be traveling to Malawi in late August to follow-up on the well construction and any other needs that TCI might have at that time.

FFC has taken up the cause to raise money for their very own well in Kenya. We were blown away at the response we got from our talk and listening to all their fund-raising ideas for the coming months.

We had a great time getting to spend time with the church and getting to know the leadership team. We look forward to working with them over the coming months. Doing things in relationship is so powerful!

***UPDATE***
FFC Leaders flew to Texas to spend a few days with the Water Boys in early July. We were able to spend time talking about the water needs around Africa and in Haiti. Before they left, the FFC team presented Water 10:42 with a check raised through their multiple fund-raising efforts over the past few months. The check will go directly towards our planned well projects in the last part of 2011. We were blown away at the success of their fund-raising efforts in just a short 60 days. Thank you Freedom Fellowship Church!!!