by Michael | Sep 3, 2019 | Current Projects, Donors, News and Stories, Photos/Media, Trip Updates, Well Projects
2 days ago, I arrived to the heat of Trichy, 99 degrees is what my app read with no rain or cooling in sight; ahh India!
Despite the heat it was nice to be back, 7 months since my last visit, a new record for me. This trip was short and sweet, 2 days of project dedications, 15 in all.
Each day was filled with faces of children with stern looks until my camera came out and water started to flow; when these 2 things happened, their livelihood changed.
During my time here in Trichy I was reminded by Dhana, who is the founder of DPWA that our partnership has now stretched to 15 years and he’s still happy with me and trusts that I was still happy with him, to which I gave an affirmative reply. I don’t think either of us would have thought 15 years ago we would still be enjoying one another and seeing projects happen in so many different places, 378 to be exact.
The miracle of this trip was that when they gave me a project proposal for 14 places, I had money for only 5, but that is how God often works. He takes what you have, and he multiplies it, so much so that a few days before you travel you receive an email asking if it’s okay to use the left-over funds to drill a 15th project? Abundance and not scarcity is what the economy of Heaven is all about and for some reason I’m still trying to learn that.
Here are some photos highlighting this trip and in just 3 weeks I’ll be back as it’s that time of year; temperatures are slowly reducing, and God is motivating folks to give and support our work of making a difference through providing access to safe water.
On behalf of all the school kids and villages who now have access to clean water, Thank You for supporting Wells for Life!
by Michael | Aug 13, 2019 | Current Projects, Donors, News and Stories, Photos/Media, Trip Updates, Well Projects
These photos never get old; a partner seeking to make a practical difference in the lives of anyone walking the streets on a hot summer day.
Our NASA partner decided it was time to make a difference in a very easy and practical way after seeing so many suffer as they walked the streets during the hot days of summer. Their idea was “what if we gave them a cup of cool water?” Someone else chimed in “or even cool buttermilk” and the idea took hold and within a short period of time the staff was out on the streets providing a cool refreshing drink when the temperatures were 100 plus degrees. They wanted to scale their outreach and they reached out to me and so for many years we have been providing funds for these Emergency Water Camps. Unfortunately, our resources go only so far and so each year we trust we’ll have something we can send so a few camps can be taken up. This year was no different.
The money you give to Wells for Life goes to projects such as these; basic touches from one person to another. In a world that is being dominated by headlines of racism, injustices and oppression, it’s nice to see a story or an example of people helping others for no other reason than to demonstrate kindness, compassion, empathy and love, and this towards a stranger.
Help me continue making a difference in the rural areas of India with a gift.
Your dollars make it possible for a cup of cool water or even buttermilk to be enjoyed. Your giving goes beyond the small simple touches to larger efforts like drilling bore wells and installing hands pumps or motorized pumps thus ensuring that a needy village or school has fresh water.
Our work impacts everyone in the community; man, woman or child; rich or poor, Hindu, Muslim or Christian, it doesn’t matter, and it happens when you give.
$1000 provides for a Emergency Water Camp and $2500 ends a village or community’s waiting for a hand pump water project; Waiting
Will you help us finish the year strong and give towards meeting our goal of 60 new clean water projects? Today we are at 38, so a bit to go, but with your help, we’ll reach our goal and impact a lot of lives. Donate Now
by Michael | Apr 26, 2018 | Current Projects, News and Stories, Photos/Media, Trip Updates, Well Projects
3 weeks ago I returned from my 2nd trip to India this year and had the chance to see four recently completed projects with this being one of them. It amazes me to see the simplicity of life that so many people live in rural India and how powerful access to water becomes; for this Gypsy community the water on the newly acquired land will ultimately bring homes.
I call that change, positive change which came because someone believed in what I was doing and they gave money; money which brought clean water and for this community, a chance at a better life.
Tent living no more!
by Michael | Dec 8, 2017 | Current Projects, Donors, News and Stories, Photos/Media, Trip Updates, Well Projects
This past November I traveled to Trichy to visit our DPWA partners, Dhana and his son Prasanna, and because of their work, 11 new projects were opened many of them schools along with a home for the physically and mentally challenged. It had been a little over a year since I was there last and it was good to be back in familiar surroundings opening new projects and seeing the impact being made in the area with clean water. 
This particular trip was really short, 5 days in fact. I missed a day on the front end due to a delayed flight out of Kansas City which caused a missed connection in Chicago, but once I reached India everything went smoothly. Getting in the country took a bit of time but once the immigration fellows realized I wasn’t a threat my passport was stamped and I was granted entry.
So what’s next? 
I’m hoping to take a break actually and not travel in January. We’ll see if that holds up. I’ve traveled 6 times this year and last so taking a break might not be a bad idea. I do have a ticket for late February/early March and plan on opening 6 projects in NW India and maybe some more in other areas, just not sure at this point as these decisions are based upon the level of our year-end giving.
When it comes to year-end giving, we, like all the other non-profits rely on those gifts to carry out our programs. What set’s us a part from many of them is the fact that most of our contributions are used on programs, like bringing clean water and making an impact in the lives of men, women and children like you see here in this post. This year we have brought water to over 50 places and I’m hoping we’re not done.
As you consider your end of year giving, take that next step and give, go ahead, make a difference and stand with me in bringing positive change to rural places in India.
Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas!!
by Michael | Mar 18, 2016 | Current Projects, Donors, News and Stories, Photos/Media, Trip Updates
I received this email late last night from one of our partners in S. India and I wanted to share it as an immediate need exists to make a difference in the lives of some people who have suffered a tragedy.
On 15th March 2016, evening, a fire accident occurred in a village outside Tuni due to short circuit. At that time all the residents – 11 downtrodden families went to go for their regular works like selling of items hair, hair pins, small plastic toys and combs etc. 6 houses have been burned including their clothes, utensils, cots and all their little possessions. Their small tents have also collapsed. Now they are outside on platforms, pavement sides. They have no food, water, clothes,
We intend to immediately respond in their dire need and support with some relief materials. For approximately $200/per family, we can provide rice (10 kgs each), clothes for each family, temporary tent, utensils, some vegetables and groceries. For 11 families, we are looking to raise $2,200.
If you want to give towards this immediate need, just make a donation now on our Give page and mark your gift Fire.
by Michael | Jun 16, 2015 | Current Projects, News and Stories, Photos/Media
A few months ago Wells for Life extended funding for a fish and chicken farm as part of a sustainability project for one of our N. Indian partners and just a few days back an email was sent of 2 photos of the digging which is underway. Ideally within another week everything will be complete and the next stage is to drill a bore well to provide the pond with fresh water. Once that is complete it will be time to purchase fish, plant some trees surrounding the pond and then start on the chicken farm. The entire project is slated for completion this Fall.
