About the Nonprofit
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Wells Bring Hope is a Southern California-based nonprofit that is dedicated to saving lives with safe water. It drills water wells to bring safe water and sanitation to rural villages in Niger, West Africa, the poorest country in the world where contaminated water kills innocent victims, most often infants and young children. The World Health Organization has said that “No other human intervention does more to help people in the world than to give them safe water and sanitation.”
In West Africa, and in many other parts of the world, the burden of getting water falls upon women and girls who walk back-breaking miles every day to find water. The result? Girls don't go to school and women have no time to work productively to generate income.
When a well is drilled, child mortality is reduced by 70%. Girls are able go to school, something that is critical to transforming lives since 85% of women in Niger cannot read or write. Once women no longer have to walk 4-6 miles every day to find water, their time is freed up to do work that can enable them to earn money. In every village where we drill a well, we train women to start their own small businesses, and within 4-6 months they become mini-entrepreneurs, contributing to their families’ well-being.
Since it started in 2008, Wells Bring Hope has drilled 436 water wells, bringing safe water and sanitation to roughly 250,000 people in rural villages in Niger, West Africa, the poorest country in the world.
100% of all donations go directly to drilling wells. Our operating expenses are funded by Panda Restaurant Group. We are an all volunteer organization, with the exception of our Director of Operations.
Our wells are drilled by the permanent staff of our long-time partner, World Vision, one of the largest and most respected humanitarian organizations in the world. The team is comprised of highly trained and experienced water engineers who come from Niger and other West African countries. The underground aquifers are plentiful in Niger but are typically found at depths of 250-300 feet, so it takes heavy-duty machinery to reach clean water.
We are the only U.S. based safe water cause that continues to work with every village for 15+ years. We maintain a steadfast presence in the community to ensure that quality of life will continue to improve because the education provided has become ingrained in their daily behavior. With monthly visits, we check both the status of the well and the health practices of the people, offering continuous reinforcement of good sanitation and hygiene practices.
Wells Bring Hope was inspired by a talk by former L.A. County District Attorney Gil Garcetti, and father of Mayor Eric Garcetti. Gil continues to be take an active role in the organization.
Two years ago, the Meritage generously donated a two night stay which we paired with several wine tastings and restaurant certificates. It was in our Live Auction and there was very active bidding on it. We hope to have the opportunity to offer that again.
Thank you.
Barbara Goldberg
