Many charity organizations fundraise to cover the cost of drilling shallow water wells in East Africa or other parts of Africa. While Pearl Action Aid Foundation (PAAF) used to partner with many different charities in the past, PAAF now chooses to fund deep water wells. As a water charity for Africa, the advantages of the deep water well have more potential to make a lasting impact.
Because of the shallow depth of shallow water wells, they are more susceptible to contamination and the natural, unpredictable fluctuations of the water table.
In contrast, deep water wells are more likely to consistently provide clean water year around. By setting criteria for the recipients of PAAF charity funds, villages are more likely to be invested in their deep water well and maintain it properly, thus increasing its longevity and impact.
Hand dug Shallow wells
- Typically less than 25 feet deep
- Cost: ~$2,350 USD
- Accumulated ground water
- Affected by rainfall
- Susceptible to contamination from ground bacteria
Village Drill Deep wells
- 105 to 297 feet deep
- $4,100 USD
- Aquifers
- Consistent year-round
- Pure
These criteria are set in order to:
- Foster the villagers’ commitment to improved health and sanitation
- Encourage hand washing and overall hygiene
- Instill a sense of ownership over the well
- Provide a gift of dignity and pride
After the village has met these criteria and raised half of the funds, Pearl Action Aid Foundation (PAAF) contributes the rest of the cost, and volunteers from PAAF are dispatched to the village.
Village men are expected to help with the manual labor involved in drilling and preparing a deep water well for use, and the women are asked to provide and prepare food for the workers, thus involving the village in the process of digging the well.
By helping the people of East Africa develop their self-reliance and helping provide clean water, Pearl Action Aid Foundation (PAAF) helps enable the people of Uganda to walk out of poverty.
Clean water helps a society focus its efforts on education and creating sustainable, worthwhile enterprises to help the village escape poverty.
