CEO Update: 2017 Impact Review

Grace and peace to you! Last year was incredible. So incredible, that I want to start this note by sharing a few key results from the last twelve months. Together, we changed the world for more than 100,000 people in 2017.

Key Results

(January 1 – December 31, 2017)

• 184 water projects completed
• 117,411 people served across 304 villages
• 328 people baptized in Lifewater program areas
• 1,006 part-time jobs created
• 87 Healthy Villages achieved
• 9,373 Healthy Homes registered

The best is yet to come. We are knee-deep in construction season here at Lifewater, and things are getting pretty exciting. We’re doing everything possible to complete water projects before the rains begin in April. Please join us in praying for all of the logistics to run smoothly during this critical time.

Below are a few additional highlights I think you will enjoy:

128 Water Project Under Construction

Yes, you read that correctly! All of the generous gifts that came in during the end of our year are being put to work right away. As always, we update progress on current projects page, so you can follow along and celebrate with us. We hope to complete all of these this quarter.

Creating New Roads

A number of the villages we are serving in Ethiopia do not have roads, which poses a problem for our drilling rigs to reach them. The residents are undeterred: they’ve gathered together to make a road for us to pass through.

New Video: How We Work

Have you ever wondered how we really do what we do? This brief animated video will give you a clear picture of how our Vision of a Healthy Village comes together. I encourage you to take a few minutes to watch.

1,000+ Healthy Homes 3rd Straight Month

If the “Healthy Home” concept is new to you, you are probably not alone. But it is so important. We teach each and every family in our program areas how to create a Healthy Home. With their own materials and investment, families make simple changes that radically decrease water-borne diseases. Families that do the hard work of becoming a Healthy Home are registered and recognized with a certificate of completion.

2018 Lifewater Tour

We have an audacious dream to reach 1,000 more villages in the next three years. Our newly-launched 1,000 Villages tour will be stopping at locations throughout the country to share the vision. You can see a list of the spring tour stops here.

Thank you for being part of this life-changing work. I’m glad to serve with you.

~ Justin

P.S. If you are looking for a good book to read this new year, I would encourage you to check out When Helping Hurts. I hope it encourages you to thoughtfully love and care for those in need, whether they be in your neighborhood or across the world.