2013: The Well
After returning from our 2011 trip to Senegal, we contacted the headmaster of Medina Wandifa’s school to propose building a well on the school grounds. At the time, students had to walk miles to access water from the village’s only well, causing significant interruptions to their education. The headmaster was thrilled with the idea, as he had long seen how the lack of nearby water impacted the students’ focus and health.
We estimated a minimum cost of $3,000 to cover materials, shipping, construction, and long-term sustainability. At the time, this seemed like a substantial amount of money (especially since we were still in elementary school). Determined to make it happen, we began fundraising by reaching out to family, friends, our parents’ co-workers, and others in our community. Once we reached our goal, we partnered with local builders and water engineers to ensure the well was both functional and sustainable. The well had a profound impact on the school. Students no longer had to miss class to fetch water, and teachers reported that attendance and focus improved significantly.
By the end of 2013, we had not only built the well but also raised enough funds to start a new project. This first success inspired us to continue our mission to improve the lives of children in West Africa. Learn more about our second project by clicking the button below.