by Michael | Nov 12, 2018 | Current Projects, Donors, News and Stories, Trip Updates, Well Projects
Yes, it’s true I just returned from a trip but that was to participate in a Leadership seminar and to open water projects. Thankfully all went wonderfully and was happy to be home in time for the trick or treaters and raiding my sons stash of candy.
As I mentioned, in a few weeks I’ll be returning to India, this time to open 8 projects in Gujarat and Maharashtra. When those are completed I’ll fly to Vijayawada and visit a couple of other projects which were completed back in August but I haven’t seen yet then I’ll head over to Chennai and travel to some property where a children’s home is to be constructed and where we’ve just brought water so they can get started with the actual construction of buildings.
It’s a full trip for me, a lot packed into the 9 days and I’m already looking ahead into 2019 and my upcoming travel schedule.
Looking ahead into 2019, I’m scheduled to be back in India the 3rd week of January and open projects in West Bengal and Odisha. In February the plan is to travel to Andhra Pradesh and spend time at New Life Children’s Home and open projects within that area as well as do some video work retelling the Wells for Life story. In April I’m doing something I swore I would never do and that’s travel to India as it’s really, really hot then but I’m doing it because some good friends have asked me to join them and it’s a unique opportunity for me to give them a glimpse of the real India, what normal life is like for millions of rural folk living without a constant electricity flow (to power lights, fans and my favorite – AC) or more necessary, clean water. I’ll be praying for abnormally cool temperatures.
In the interim, this is the Holiday Season when people start thinking about gift giving, cooking, travel and time off, as well as Black Friday shopping, so when you’re engaged in all of that and you get thirsty and go for that water bottle, coffee, tea or soda; remember me and Wells for Life.
It’s your gift giving that makes it possible for Wells for Life to carry out its mission of bringing clean, safe water to rural India, so thank you for your support and faithful giving this year and through the years.
Almost 850 places have access to clean water because of you, which is an amazing number and this doesn’t even touch the programs which aren’t water related that we have been involved in, so great job in making a difference and helping me change lives.
All your giving to Wells for Life is tax deductible and if you haven’t considered giving through your company’s matching gift program, look into it as essentially that’s free money out there waiting to be invested in a good cause and I can’t think of a better one than ours. (If Wells for Life isn’t on your company’s give list, contact me for the necessary information to get us added.)
Here’s a clip of a video from a project I opened this summer for some friends.
Blessings to you.
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 | Jan 25, 2018 | Current Projects, Donors, News and Stories, Trip Updates, Well Projects
Wrapping up January and I think I’m still trying to figure out where December went. This time of year is normally busy for me with all my travels to India which seems to be nonstop starting in September however this past year I cut out December and January’s trip so I won’t see the Selfie capital of the world till late February. I only bring up the selfie thing because in the news today was a story of an Indian guy in Hyderabad taking a selfie next to the train tracks with an oncoming train and sure enough, he was hit, but lucky for him, wasn’t killed. A head scratcher for sure, I guess anything for that perfect selfie. Speaking of selfie, here’s one of me from my trip this past November. LOL.
Highlights from 2017 –
- 59 water projects funded
- Annual support for leper community
- Annual support for Lydia’s Girl’s Hostel including bunk beds and Christmas gifts
- Solar Panel and paint for a Children’s Home of 235
- Emergency Water Camps
- Electrical Grid panel repair and school bus funding for primary school
- Startup costs for 2 medical clinics
2018 marks also a rise in what I am now asking people to contribute for our water projects. For more than a decade we were able to provide hand pump projects for $2000 and at this price we were afforded the ability to put some money aside into an escrow account to address future maintenance on our projects. This past year, one of the items our Board of Directors tackled was a Director’s salary both for the present and for the future as part of a succession plan for that time when I need to step aside. It’s somewhat strange to think of leaving something you started so long ago, something you have poured your life and soul into but that’s reality, at some point I will need to fade away and allow someone younger to pick up where I left off and take Wells for Life to places I could only have imagined.
I honestly don’t have any idea when my time will come but they say it’s never too early to prepare so, we’ve begun those steps which meant a salary for me which in turn means a new “ask” for our projects. Our new number is $2500; still a reasonable and affordable number for clean water especially when you look at what we do, where we do it and the peace of mind that I’ll be there cutting the ribbon and drawing the water. Proof positive that your donation is making a difference in rural India.
I leave with some photos of those whose lives were touched this past year by your generosity! 
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 | Oct 26, 2017 | Current Projects, News and Stories, Trip Updates, Well Projects
In a few weeks I’ll be back in India opening 10 new projects, this time in Tamil Nadu, which will bring our work to 51 fresh water projects this year.
Demand along with desire remains high throughout rural India for water projects especially in underserved areas where people have no access to water in their homes. Reportedly these 10 new places were of great need and now with the trip set I have learned an even greater need exists in some new communities so shifting of resources has taken place. Why do I share this? Transparency mainly and to highlight the fact that plans change, even the best laid ones, especially when working with other cultures and contexts. As a result, one must remain flexible, understanding and open minded when changes like this crop up.
Bottom line though for me is that people are served but further investigation is needed to understand why the change and is it the best course of action for the indigenous partner for whom we work through and for whom responsibility rests, or do we disregard the desires of the partner and just focus on the community and what it is they want or need?
I wish there was a quick and easy answer but honestly more work and thought needs to be done with all involved but in short, preference towards sustainability should be considered along with who derives the most benefit with the aim of serving the “least of these” first.
Time will tell how this all shakes out and I’m trusting in the fact that our partners, who have been serving the poor for over 20 years in their District, know better than I what’s best in their context and community and as such will share with me the steps they took to reach the decisions they made.
Working in India always has its challenges yet not without a lot of rewards, so even in this situation I’m looking forward to the payoff; changed lives because of clean water.
by Michael | Jul 24, 2016 | Current Projects, News and Stories, Trip Updates, Well Projects
July marks the start of my busy travel schedule to India along with final 6 weeks of time with my kids before they get back in school, so last minute trips to the lake and as much time away as possible make for a busy time.
A few days ago I jumped back on a plane and now I’m in the midst of visiting tribal areas opening bore well projects within the state of Telangana. Early mornings and late nights are to be expected and embraced otherwise the rigors of India travel overwhelms and leaves you wrecked and frustrated on the side of the road.
Yesterday I was in some places where I know white folks don’t travel or have ever seen. Three of the tribal villages are communist influenced and as short as a few years ago would have never ventured out of their homes to greet a foreigner like myself. These tribal people are living life as simply as possible and without any modern amenities save the solar panel which provides enough electricity to power a few lights. Water is accessed by a nearby stream which takes 15 to 20 minutes to walk to so having a protected and reliable water source which they can access is a huge improvement and I can argue a life enriching and if not saving one as well.
I’m continually thankful for what I have and for what I can provide. Despite the long days and nights and all the other things I experience when traveling to and within India, nothing beats the walk with a community down their dirt road to dedicate a water project. The sense of joy, appreciation and community is special and unique even if it only lasts a few moments.
Thanks to all who make what I do possible and who give so that I might give the powerful gift of life.
