Choose Water is a Christian-based, non-proselytizing organization (meaning, we don’t preach and attempt to make converts.) Instead, we meet one of the largest physical needs of rural Africa- the need for safe, clean water. In meeting that need, we provide the church with a huge tool (the well), so that they can have a voice in the community.

We visit each of the villages with a representative from the church. Then we ask for the land on which the well will be placed to be given to the church. This is strategic for Choose Water for two reasons. First, it ensures that the well will be on neutral ground and everyone will have access to the well, regardless of their religion or standing in the community. Secondly, it ensures that the community has contact with a local partner who can assist in repairs or training if something goes wrong with our normal program (which gives the communities all the tools they need to take care of their own repairs and self-manage the well and pump.) It is VITAL to have local partners on the ground, and the church is continually present in the communities in which we work. Development work done without a local partner is largely a waste of time and resources.

When the community that has such large physical needs hears of the hope that the church proclaims, but doesn’t have food or water to drink, they won’t be quick to lend an ear. But if the church can first help meet those physical needs, then they will have a voice. Speaking hope, and bringing hope are often two very different things. We don’t use coercion to force community members to become members of any church or religion. Everyone is welcome to drink the water we provide. We do, however, provide a platform for the church to meet the spiritual needs of the community. The church is not only our liaison with the community when we aren’t around, but they also get a piece of land in the village where they can build a church, school, clinic, orphanage, training center, or community garden. We like to say that we are meeting the physical needs of the village, which empowers the church to meet the spiritual needs and gives them the opportunity to meet other physical needs. This is a win-win for the community, the church, and Choose Water. The village gets clean water, a chance for spiritual guidance, and other opportunities that the church might bring. The church gets a voice. Choose Water gets a dynamic local partner that is already respected in the communities and is instrumental in a holistic approach to bringing development to the community.

The partnership between Choose Water, the church, and the village requires that each group is invested in the project. This helps ensure the long-term success of our work. Below shows what each group is expected to bring to the table.

We are working with the church on putting together a leadership development program. We are launching a test program right now that will bring 10 leaders from a village together to pursue how they can help improve the lives of others in the village.

This community leader program will give us a good idea how the training was received and help us evaluate training in the future. It will also provide the church with a group of people to build a church around. We will initially facilitate the discussions with the plan to hand that over to the village within three months.

[L to R] Chintu, our lead trainer; safe hygiene chain training cards; hand-washing station (tippy-tap); a lady from the village demonstrating what she has learned.

[L to R] Dindibulo Village (adopted by Christ Chapel, Florence AL.)

Makuyu Anona Village (adopted by Fairhope UMC, Fairhope AL)