With permission we share this story from Shirley, an 86 year- old Southland, NZ woman.

For more years than she cares to remember, after seeing an advert on television about an African woman having to walk miles each day to collect water (and dirty water at that), Shirley dreamed of one day being in a position to provide a well somewhere.

After being the recipient of some bequeathed funds, Shirley’s long held dream has become a reality. Two wells have been constructed this year as a result of her donations to us, thus providing clean and safe drinking water to near 200 families. Thank you Shirley for these life saving / life changing gifts, and for the encouragement to us to not give up on our dreams.

Photos: the water collection point, before and after, of the most recent well (completed in August).