Providing fresh water,
spiritual water, and
community development
to Northwest Nigeria.

...
History

In January 2005, a couple of co-workers from our company traveled to Nigeria to explore how we might be able to use our abilities to improve the efficiency of this drill. What we found when we arrived was a percussion cable tool drill rig and a team of three Nigerians located in the Nigerian bush, 200 miles south of the Sahara Desert. This small team had little drilling experience but possessed a wholehearted passion to bring fresh water and Spiritual Water to the local people. This was enough to capture our attention, but more importantly, it ignited a passion in our hearts as we also felt the Lord drawing us towards this opportunity.

As we evaluated existing operations, systems, and people, we realized we could apply our acquired knowledge to improve the efficiency and productivity of the drill. After returning to Michigan, we put together a solid plan with new strategies, structures, and systems. This plan included enlisting North American volunteers to take an active role in the project. Today, 11 dedicated volunteers from the United States and Canada train, mentor, and coach 12 Nigerian paid staff members in drilling, maintenance, and operation. Our North American team members visit northwestern Nigeria periodically and also communicate frequently with our Nigerian team via regular e-mail communication (we are fortunate to have Christian Reformed World Missions missionaries in the area with access to the Internet). In 2005 and 2006, twenty-five wells were drilled, bringing clean water to 10,000 people. (Please see our home page for information on the number of wells drilled to date in 2007).

We would like to thank Christian Reformed World Missions, the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, and Partners Worldwide for laying a solid foundation for this project. With prayer and determination, Water Wins is now taking ownership and responsibility for the future of this wonderful, challenging project.