Digging Wells in Darfur: The 100 Wells Campaign

In America it is easy to take the necessities of life for granted.  We have water, food, and clothing in abundance – or at least most of us do.  The average American today lives better than most kings have in history.  True, the economic crisis is certainly a game changer, but living within walking distance of a grocery store with ten different kinds of bottled water on the shelf (not including the flavored ones!) is a unique privilege.  We have food and drink galore.  We struggle to lose weight while the rest of the planet struggles to find the next meal.  Gratitude for what we have, and a desire to help others who are less fortunate, is the only attitude that seems appropriate.

Americans also have the unique privilege of having most of our wars “over there” somewhere.  My own faith community, Vashon Island Community Church, has two men who grew up among us serving in Afghanistan in the armed forces.  One of our youth group graduates is joining the Marines this fall.  If he faces combat it will likely be “over there” somewhere.

In recent years, one place that has not known either of these privileges is Sudan, Africa.  Genocide and religious persecution has amassed untold numbers of casualties.  Orphanages and refugee villages are still packed with the surviving victims of the violence.  In these villages and communities clean water is often a scarcity.  Many have tried and failed to dig successful wells in the Darfur region.  One group that has had truly miraculous success is the Persecution Project Foundation, an organization that was started during the genocide to provide care and safety to the victims of religious violence in the region.  Having begun successfully building wells in the region, the organization started the 100 Wells Campaign.  Their slogan: “100 Wells.  100,000 People.”

The youth group at Vashon Island Community Church, under the leadership of my wife Nichole Ivaska and youth group mom Kendra Malczyk, wants to get the people of Vashon involved in helping to build a well in Darfur through the 100 Wells Campaign.  Allow me to quote the 100 Wells Campaign brochure:

“The Need:  Approximately 80% of sickness in Africa is related to bad water.  In Darfur, Sudan, the need for safe, clean water is critical.  For the 2.5 million refugees forced to flee the genocide in recent years, it’s a question of survival.  Before community development can begin, there must be access to this basic necessity.

“The Impact: Water is life.  Clinics, schools, churches and all other institutions rely on the availability of clean water.  Persecution Project Foundation has taken on the challenge of providing safe, clean drinking water to genocide survivors in Darfur.  During the last several years, we’ve seen the impact that water brings.  Every freshwater well is helping transform settlements of sick and dying Darfuris into communities that once again have life, hope and vision for themselves and their children’s future.  The gift of one well can provide 500-1,000 people, as well as their animals, with clean water for the rest of their lives.

“Individual: Your $35 donation will provide one person in Darfur with clean water for his or her lifetime!

“Community: Build a well.  You can make a tremendous difference in Darfur simply by accepting the challenge to raise $15,000 to fund an entire well.”

Because of the tremendous difficulty of building wells the Darfur region, thanks to the distances and dangers involved, building a well in this region is much more expensive than in other regions of Africa. 

The youth and their leaders at VICC believe that we as an island can raise the funds to build a well there.  We want you to get involved.  100% of the funds raised by the VICC Youth will go to the 100 Wells Campaign.  (The youth ministry itself is supported by the tithes and offerings of the worshiping community at VICC).  The VICC Youth are going to kick off the fundraising at the Strawberry Festival at Vashon Island Community Church’s “Free Water” booth.  Every year we hand out free bottled water to festival goers.  We’re doing it again this year, but will also be giving out information on the 100 Wells Campaign, accepting donations towards the cause, and selling hand made candles.  Keep your eyes and ears peeled for our other upcoming fundraising events throughout the next year, too!

The Persecution Project and the 100 Wells Campaign can be further investigated at persecutionproject.org, 100wellscampaign.com, or through any organization that evaluates and rates non-profit organizations. 

See you at the Festival!!!!

Mike Ivaska is associate pastor at Vashon Island Community Church, www.vicc4life.com.