In Kenya, people often say, “Maji ni Uhai,” which means “water is life” in Swahili. While we have readily available drinking water here in the United States, securing clean, safe water is still a daily struggle for many families in places like Kenya, Zambia, Ghana and Malawi. Mothers and young girls walk for hours daily to reach a water source, only to return with water that may make their families sick.
This situation is heartbreaking — but there is hope! Cross Catholic Outreach and our dedicated ministry partners are helping bring life-giving water to Africans in need by building wells in their communities. This corporal act of mercy is rooted in our Catholic identity, giving drink to the thirsty and responding to those in need with love and compassion.
With the support of our friends here in the U.S., communities are gaining access to clean, reliable water, and I’d love to share a little more about how that happens. From the initial site survey to the well blessing ceremony, lives are being transformed! Life-giving water is becoming accessible to God’s children in Africa, and I pray you join us in continuing this essential work.
Obtaining Permits
First, partners in Africa apply for the permits needed for the geological survey and the eventual drilling.
Conducting Geological Surveys
With permits in hand, geological surveys can begin. These surveys use specialized equipment to evaluate the water table underground to find the best location for drilling.
Drilling and Installing Boreholes
Skilled laborers then drill boreholes using professional equipment to ensure they will remain structurally sound for years to come. Boreholes are drilled deep enough to ensure water is available year-round, even during the dry season. After installation, every well is properly cased and sealed to protect its purity.
Testing Water Samples
Next, water is drawn from the completed borehole and sent to a government-run laboratory for testing. Before the process can continue, water samples must be certified safe for human and animal consumption.
Installing Pumps, Tanks and Taps
Depending on the area’s needs and geology, the borehole is fitted with either a simple hand pump or a solar-powered pump. In Kenya, for instance, the climate, elevation and rocky soil often require deeper wells, so solar-powered pumps are installed to ensure year-round access to abundant water. An elevated metal structure is mounted with a 10,000-liter overhead tank for each solar-powered system, and families fill their containers at convenient taps.
Organize Maintenance Fund
No matter what kind of system they receive, families contribute a nominal fee to support its maintenance. This allows the community to truly take ownership of their system and ensure it will continue serving them for many years to come!
READ MORE: How Spiritual Transformation and Clean Water Are Related
Water Promotes Health
Rural communities frequently battle waterborne illnesses as they drink from shallow, contaminated sources. Some share water with animals or have had their water tainted by bacteria, parasites and toxic chemical runoff. Gaining access to a reliable source of safe water changes things dramatically.
Water Promotes Education
Women and girls typically handle the task of collecting water for hours each day, which interferes with their work schedules and education. To avoid the heat or the possibility of being out after dark, many girls start fetching water before the school day begins, leaving them tired and unable to focus during class. When parents must purchase water instead, they run out of funds to pay for all their kids to go to school. Typically, girls are the first to be taken out of school to save the family money. Your investment helps promote education for young girls who might otherwise lose opportunities because of the demands water collection has placed on their families.
Water Promotes Economic Growth
Easy access to water promotes income-generating activities among community members because there is more time available to focus on farming or small businesses. No longer spending hours a day walking to and from their nearest water source, families can use their valuable time to learn new skills and cultivate their businesses.
Clean water doesn’t just quench thirst; it brings health, upholds dignity, and creates hope for a better future. Thanks to the generosity of faithful supporters, Cross Catholic Outreach is working hand in hand with local ministry partners to make this a reality — one well, one village, one family at a time.
Every gift helps bring relief to mothers, children and entire communities. These families gain access to clean, reliable water close to home, a true blessing that reflects Christ’s love in action.
We invite you to join this mission. Your support can help fund a well, restore health and bless many lives.
We’d love to hear from you! Post your house on Facebook or Instagram. Share what you learned as a family and tag Cross Catholic Outreach. For more activities and conversation starters, visit our Advent activity guide.
RELATED: Read more about how clean water is life-changing for rural villages in Africa.
Originally published August 1, 2025. Last updated August 2026.
Donations from this campaign will be used to cover any expenditures for this project incurred through June 30, 2027, the close of our ministry’s fiscal year. In the event that more funds are raised than needed to fully fund the project, the excess funds, if any, will be used to meet the most urgent needs of the ministry.
