Living Water

Why

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We cook with it, we clean with it, we bathe in it yet we take for granted the necessity of water in our daily lives. Turn on the faucet and water flows with no hesitation. Unfortunately, this is not the case for many people here in Nigeria. About 2.3 billion people suffer from diseases linked to dirty water (International Year of Fresh Water)across the globe and many women and children are forced to walk miles each day just to access it. Children are often unable to attend school due to the great amount of time it takes each day simply to fetch water for the family. Building a well in local villages not only helps to prevent fatal diseases but contributes to deminishing poverty and promoting education.

The building of a well also empowers the people of the village to form a greater community. The well becomes wholly theirs and they must work together to maintain it and benefit from it. Living Water is built on the hope of making a difference in all of these areas coupled with the desire to share the gospel through this means of love.

Our first well

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In August of 2008 a group of teenagers at First United Methodist Church in Pensacola, Florida decided to take on the mission of raising funds to build our first borehole for our Living Water program.

The team of youth raised money over the next eight months. They sold T-shirts. They sold Christmas decorations. They had a garage sale. They sent out letters to loved ones asking for donations.

They even gave up drinking everything but water for a month to set aside the money they would usually spend on other beverages.

In the beginning of 2009, the youth partnered with a larger body that holds a retreat each year called Meltdown in Panama City Beach, Fl. The retreat includes about 52 churches and over one thousand youth each year. In Febuary Living Water was the mission for the weekend and over $6000 were raised by the attending youth. They donated money, they bought t-shirts and they bought water bottles designed specifically for our program.

By April, a small group of the youth and a few adults were ready to come to Nigeria and be a part of the building process. They spent a total of one week with us and though the well was not entirely finished by the time they left, the water was on its way.

The village of Ihiala has changed dramatically since this borehole was built. Women come to thank Rev. Fyne every time he is there. He receives phone calls from all over the country from people who have heard about this wonderful access to water. One woman shared a story of a boy who had to cross the main highway each day to get water and was unfortunately struck and killed by a car. She was so grateful that such circumstances would no longer arise for the local area because of this clean and free water they all now have access to.

We are overjoyed at the incredible experience this well has been so far. We are amazed at the sacrifices and the teamwork of the youth in Florida. We are grateful to God for all who donated to this well and we are just excited to get to play the role of the liason. We know that the fruits of this labor will only continue to show itself as time goes on and we wait eagerly for the next opportunity to bring water to another village.

Below is the video put together by one of the youth, Liam Dunaway, on return from their trip.

Nigeria Mission Experience from Liam Dunaway on Vimeo.

Wells in Nigeria

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Pricing Details

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The construction of a full well is totaled at $10,063. A comprehensive breakdown of the financial requirements are below:

About Living Water

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Living Water is a program based out of Global Christian Ministries located in Owerri, Nigeria. Global Christian Ministries houses a GlobalHEED (Health, Education and Economic Development) department where Living Water was established.

The goals of Living Water are:
1. To supply local villages throughout Southeastern Nigeria with clean and accessible water.
2. To build community by drawing people together who will partner with eachother and build self-help.
3. To fullfill the gospel and glorify God through the promotion of life and health.

The success of this program weighs heavily on the donations of interested partners. The need for wells in Nigeria is never ending and we are dedicated to building as many as money provides for.

Contact

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Questions? Want to get involved? Contact Us!

Global Christian Ministries President
Dr. Rev. Fyne Nsofor
drcfyne@gmail.com

Global Christian Ministries
PO Box 3687
#6, Odoubi Crescent (Plot 91), Ikenegbu
Owerri-Imo State, NIGERIA

Fundraisers

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We couldn't do this without the help of people like you! Check out the current and past events being hosted in honor of our program!

H20 Challenge
The H20 Challenge is a commitment to giving up all liquids other than water for a month (or chosen period of time) and setting aside money that would normally be used to purchase things such as milk, soda, coffee, etc to build a well. This is a great way to raise money but also to create awareness. If you have a group interested in doing this, the H20 website offers free wristbands. Those behind the website promote World Vision, but we have already checked about their willigness for the money to come to our program instead. They support!

University Cookout
Nothing gets the attention of college students like free food. Sponsor a cookout and provide flyers about the need for clean water across the globe. Set aside donations made for the building of a well!

Sell custom made t-shirts that raise money and create awareness!

Church-wide garage sale

Selling Christmas wreaths

Selling custom made water bottles

Using "Living Water" as a mission focus for conferences, retreats, or mission of the month type programs

These are just some of the ideas groups are already participating in to help us fund our first well. If you have any ideas, send them our way!

A HUGE Thank you to:
First United Methodist Church Youth Group in Pensacola, Fl. They have gone above and beyond in their efforts to raise funds for Living Water. Keep up the great work!

University of West Florida Wesley Foundation for your sponsoring our program at your school cookout. Your work encourages us!

Got pictures from your fundraiser? Results, stories, anything to add? E-mail Mary Ann at mare261@gmail.com