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Water 4 Kids FAQ
Frequently asked questions about our Water 4 Kids International program.
Q: What is the main focus of Water 4 Kids International?
A: Water 4 Kids International (W4KI) reaches out to the poorest communities in East Africa and Central India that are suffering from the lack of safe water by providing long-term access to clean water through life-saving deep water wells, rain harvesting and water filtration projects. In addition, Water 4 Kids equips and trains recipient villages to maintain their water projects for years to come in order to provide the greatest impact within their community. Water 4 Kids also monitors existing wells to make sure they are open and fully-functioning, while offering them an opportunity to learn about The Gospel, good hygiene and basic sanitation.
Q: How long does it take to drill a well {borehole}?
A: Typically, it takes less than a month to drill a well from start to finish. However, rainy seasons, political elections and area location can strongly impact the duration of the drilling process causing the process to take up to several months to complete.
Q: How many people can benefit from one borehole?
A: Villages and surrounding areas ranging in 3,000 -11,000 people will benefit from a boreholes, although we drill wells in other more concentrated areas.
Q: How much does it cost to drill a deep borehole?
A: For a donation of $10,150, Water 4 Kids can provide fresh, safe drinking water to thousands of people in east Africa or central India. For as little as $1 per villager, entire community can be saved from dysentery for 30 to 50 years.
Q: Do you drill or hand dig your boreholes?
A: Our local drilling companies drill all of our boreholes with a drilling rig.
Q: How deep are the boreholes you drill?
A: Although borehole depths range by district, our deep boreholes range from 150 ft. to 300 ft. deep.
Q: Do you conduct water or hydrological surveys on your well sites?
A: YES! water or hydrological surveys are completed on every well site.
Q: What is the typical life expectancy of a borehole?
A: With proper "sensitization", or education of the communities, boreholes can last 30 – 50 years with little maintenance. Water 4 Kids puts a large emphasis on community-based partnership in the development of our boreholes. It makes the difference of a well lasting 1 1/2 years or 30 years.
Q: Can everyone drink from the boreholes?
A: Everyone is welcomed to drink from our wells regardless of race, religion or tribe. Children are encouraged to drink often from the wells that can help ward off dangerous life-threatening diseases.
Q: Who takes care of the boreholes?
A: Boreholes are officially turned over to the villages during the well openings and dedications. Water Usage Committees are formed in every village Water 4 Kids serves. They are elected positions from the village that determine the rules, regulations and maintenance of the boreholes.
Q: What areas of the world are you drilling wells?
A: Currently, Water 4 Kids International is drilling wells in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and India.
Q: How do you find the villages that are in the greatest needs?
A: Through natural relationships and on-the-ground-research, villages are submitted to our local H4KI NGO organization for consideration. It is only after a Water 4 Kids project manager visits the village, verifies the current source of water and certifies it with a number of criteria, will it be added into to our Water 4 Kids program.
Q: Will I get to know the location of the borehole I sponsored?
A: YES! For every donation of $2,500 and over, you will be connected to a specific village in need. We will send you the village demographic information including village name and location, population of the village and surrounding areas, the distance they have to walk for water and photos of their current source of water. In most cases we will include a particular story about the village you are saving and if any schools or medical clinics will benefit from the borehole.
Q: Do the boreholes need electricity to run?
A: No, standard boreholes do not need electricity to run. They are mechanically engineered to pump water by using a single hand pump. However, water towers that we construct for some boreholes require electricity and a pump to run.
Q: Can I sponsor a well in honor or memory of someone?
A: YES! Boreholes can be sponsored in honor or memory of individuals, families, churches or corporations. We will install a plaque on the borehole honoring the well you gave in their name. You will also receive an exact replica of the plaque to remember the village you restored with the life-giving legacy of safe water.
Q: Do you drill wells on personal property or private land?
A: No, boreholes are not drilled on anyone’s personal property for fear that person may relocate and give the next owner an opportunity to charge for use of the well. Water 4 Kids requires an individual in the community to donate a plot of land to the village for the borehole. This small act brings dignity to the village and confirms the partnership with Water 4 Kids International.
Q: Who oversees the entire borehole process?
A: Water 4 Kids International oversees the entire process of the borehole installation. Each identified borehole project has multiple teams dedicated to that project including Check, Survey, Drilling, Pump Testing, Casting & Fitting teams. Each team includes the area project manager, community leadership committee, and a safety officer who’s required to remain onsite during the entire borehole drilling project. This ensures that the process is not compromised in any way.
Q: What happens if the drillers drill a dry well?
A: Water 4 Kids reaches out to the communities that are in greatest need which may lead us into areas on the “no-go” list for other organizations or by the government which increases our chances of drilling a dry well. If our drillers are unable to find water, they will allow us to transfer our village to another village in need at no additional cost. This is only because of the very special and unique relationship we have with our drilling companies. We will always be able to show you a finished borehole from your donation.
Q: Can I travel to see my well?
A: YES! We hope if you sponsored a well that you will consider traveling with us to dedicate your well! Hope 4 Kids takes hundreds of volunteer team members to Uganda and India each year to participate in our well dedications! It always an honor to introduce our donors to the villages they saved with a life-saving borehole.
Q: Who attends the well dedications?
A: Thousands of villagers are also invited to attend the well dedication along with government officials, leaders of the community, local pastors, the Water 4 Kids project manager and other Water 4 Kids representatives.
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