October 2011 Archives

As African Well Fund nears the $1 million fundraising mark, we've asked supporters to share their stories of why they give. In this installment, AWF board member Lara Wineman shares her reasons why.

How did you first learn about the African Well Fund?
Back in 2002 I watched the MTV documentary with Bono and Secretary [of the Treasury Paul] O'Neill in Africa. The one part that stuck out to me the most was when it was mentioned that $1,000 could build a well for a village of hundreds and completely change their lives in extraordinary ways. I was very active on the U2 forums at the time and discovered others had had the same segment jump out at them. We were all on the same wavelength that if we could find a handful of people to donate a modest amount we could build a well.

Why did you want to support AWF?
Raising such a relatively small amount of money to save so many lives was my biggest motivation. It was the first time in my life where I really felt like I could make a difference even though I'm not rich or well-known. I did not know much about clean water issues at the time but, after researching them, I was appalled with the statistics about how many people in this world in this day and age do not have access to clean water and what a large percentage of those people are in sub-Saharan Africa. I really had taken my station in life for granted up until then and, after finding out that this basic need is needed so desperately, I couldn't not do something.

What are some specific things you've done to support AWF's mission to fund clean water and sanitation projects in sub-Saharan Africa?
In the beginning I helped develop the AWF website as well as create the logo and branding of the fund. Throughout the years I've also been responsible for designing specific online and printed fundraising materials and merchandise. My most-fulfilling contribution, I feel, is creating Bono's birthday card every year from all the heartfelt and inspiring messages his fans and AWF donors leave through that fundraiser.

Lara Wineman (left) presented Bono with his latest birthday card prior to U2's recent concert in Nashville.

Have you introduced your family, friends or community to AWF? How?
I have talked endlessly to friends, family and colleagues who let me about the AWF's history, mission and need to for clean water. I've been invited to talk a handful of times to schools and have done so. Through Facebook I have donated my birthday cause to AWF, as well as reposted news stories and other related posts.

Why do you continue to support AWF?
Because we've only made a small dent in bringing clean water and sanitation to the population of Africa. The percentage of those without the basic right of clean water is still too high to live in good conscious with.

If you'd like to tell African Well Fund why you give, please e-mail info@africanwellfund.org. To make a donation to support future African Well Fund projects, please click here.

As African Well Fund nears the $1 million fundraising mark, we've asked supporters to share their stories of why they give. In this installment, Diane Yoder, board vice chairman, shares her reasons why.

Reflecting on the question, "Why do you give?" I find my answer now is the same as it was nine years ago when I first became involved with AWF--because too many people in Africa lack access to clean water and sanitation. Nearly 10 years later, it astounds me that this is still the case. With all the resources and marvels of technology available in the 21st century, it is inexcusable that everyone on the planet does not have access to this most basic need. Clean water is indeed a human right.

I became involved in AWF because I wanted to actively work to help right this wrong. It is easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless when faced with intransigent poverty but I refuse let this bow me into inaction. I really do believe it is a solvable problem, not some pie-in-the-sky utopian vision. I am blessed with abundant resources in my life; one of these resources is time. If I can use my time not only to help others to gain access to clean water and sanitation, but also to help provide a vehicle for others who want to help, then I feel as if I am making substantive use of my good fortune.

AWF board member vice chairman Diane Yoder (second from the left) poses with fellow board member Angela Martens (far left) and (from left to right) Angelique Kidjo, singer and founder of the Batonga Foundation, Peter Persell, former Africare vice president of operations, and Mary Louise Cohen, Batonga Foundation president and founding board member, at last fall's Africare gala.

AWF enables me to be an active participant in the quest to alleviate the daily hardships faced by too many people in our world today. It may be a small contribution, but AWF has shown that small contributions can be combined into a life-changing force.

If you'd like to tell African Well Fund why you give, please e-mail info@africanwellfund.org. To make a donation to support future African Well Fund projects, please click here.

Africare has sent AWF a progress report on a water project in Chad. This water project is part of a larger initiative that aims to economically empower women entrepreneurs in southern Chad. When complete, the AWF-funded water project will result in the construction of 11 hand-dug wells or drilled bore holes equipped with hand pumps, the installation of hand washing stations, the installation of ventilated pit latrines, and construction and hygiene training for residents of the project communities.

The project was in part funded with grant money AWF received in the Chase Community Giving challenge.

Construction began this summer with wells bored in Kome, Bebedija, Mbikou and Doba.

Total construction time for the Kobe well took one week with dynamic ground water reached at 36 meters deep. Construction was delayed by two days due to heavy rain. Filtering pipes were installed to purify the water before the well was used.

The 38-meters-deep Bebedija well project took five days and construction team members had to overcome the problem of water leaking through underground canals that reached the traditional well. This issue was solved when the team abandoned the first worked, filled the hole and moved the well by a few meters.

Boring on the Mbikou well failed after two attempts when a large stone was discovered at a depth of 20 meters. Another well site was selected at Bebedja that could be used by the group from Mbikou.

It took the Doba team two days to reach groundwater at a depth of 29 meters. This project had no complications and was completed on July 6.

"In conclusion, well boring in general took place in good conditions except the case of Mbikou that was addressed through the selection of a new site in Bebedja," Africare reported. "The groundwater reached in every place is abundant and of good quality. Well boring for the various groups met a real need, because in the selected sites people lacked potable water. It must also be pointed out that women contributed a lot for effective well boring on each site."

To read the project proposal and progress report, click here.

As African Well Fund nears the $1 million fundraising mark, we've asked supporters to share their stories of why they give. In this installment, Paola Palumbi Yeager, AWF board member and auction coordinator, shares her reasons why.

How did you first learn about the African Well Fund?
I first learned about the African Well Fund in 2004 on Zootopia, the online community at U2.com. There was a mention of AWF in the Hearts and Minds section of the sight. I checked out their website and sent an e-mail to the info address saying I wanted to volunteer.

Why did you want to support AWF?
I used to volunteer at a food bank in the city where I lived but as I got older my job (and life) became more complicated. I found that I no longer had time during "normal hours" to volunteer my time. Then I discovered AWF. I had really never thought about it before but was impressed how building one well could change the lives of so many people. The virtual grassroots aspect of the group fit my crazy hours--I was able to help out sitting in my basement in my pajamas at midnight.

What are some specific things you've done to support AWF's mission to fund clean water and sanitation projects in sub-Saharan Africa?
I was an event planner/fundraiser in my former life so when I came on board as a volunteer I used my knowledge of eBay and [its] charity giving program to create the annual "Got Water?" auction which takes place every November. I was then asked to join the board of directors, as they say, the rest is history.

Have you introduced your family, friends or community to AWF? How?
I have a blog where I post about AWF and our fundraisers. I also talk about AWF and our mission to as many people as will listen. A lot of people tune out, but I also think a lot of people listen and stop to think about how they might be able to create change in this insane world.

Why do you continue to support AWF?
The reality is our board members and volunteers have "real jobs," families and limited time, yet still we have been able to create some real change in the lives of thousands of people. What an amazing achievement! Imagine what we could do it AWF was our full-time job. Also, when I joined as a volunteer in 2004 I never dreamed that the members of the AWF would become more than just colleagues; we are a family. We are also a group of people that truly believe in the power of change and in the notion that access to clean water is a basic human right. Margaret Mead once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world--indeed it is the only thing that ever does." This is the embodiment of the AWF and this is why I will continue to support the African Well Fund.

If you'd like to tell African Well Fund why you give, please e-mail info@africanwellfund.org. To make a donation to support future African Well Fund projects, please click here.