Kurt Dahlin, CEO of Water Wells for Africa (WWFA), a California-based non-profit organization dedicated to drilling and maintaining safe water sources in the rural communities of Malawi, Central Africa, has launched a relief initiative to provide water for more than 5,000 Malawian villagers who have been devastated by continual drought and disease from stagnant surface water.

WWFA’s efforts over the past 15 years have built and sustained more than 120 water wells in Malawi. Even so, the existing initiative – termed “impossible” by local water well agencies – has proved to be the greatest challenge of WWFA to date. Malawian drilling experts have not yet found a way to transport the heavy equipment into these five remote villages due to the high, mountainous terrain and small, battered roads.

“After personally visiting this area 3 years ago, I have been dedicated to bringing safe water,” says Dahlin. He also explains that the issue has become a source of conflict between the Malawian and Mozambican villagers who argue over rights to the contaminated water that they sift from a dry creek bed. Many families suffer recurring cholera and diarrhea caused by the depleted, open water source.

WWFA currently is seeking groups interested in partnering to raise funds and invest in the initiative. Further, the organization has set up an adoption program that will allow investors to fund the drilling and maintenance of the five new wells that are needed.

For additional information, visit www.waterwellsforafrica.org.