Below are stories with photos and videos of six villages in northern of Burkina Faso that had limited or no clean drinking water...
 ... and then the refugees from war and pandemic started to arrive.

Through the generous support of individuals and families at Stonecrest Community Church , our partners in Burkina Faso have been able to make a difference:

Thank you!
You are making a difference in our hurting world.

In the Zoumou community, the water crisis was an exhausting part of everyday life. A total of 567 people relied entirely upon the nearby river for water. Women and children were the ones primarily responsible for collecting water.  They collected as much water as they could for drinking and to use for chores. The task was toilsome and robbed them of the time and attention they should have reserved for caring for their families, studying in school, and other meaningful or lucrative pursuits.

Because it was exposed to the elements, the water from the river was unsafe to drink. The residents often contracted diarrhea, typhoid, and other water-related illnesses after consuming the water. The fact that they had limited water to use for hygiene meant that these illnesses often spread quickly. When community members were ill, more than just their physical well-being suffered. They also lost time working to provide for their families. The socio-economic fabric of the community was weakened by the water crisis. The residents were distraught. They began to look for help, aware that they could not end the water crisis on their own.

The community leaders heard about the work that Envision was doing in the region, and they decided to request help. Envision staff in partnership with the Zoumou village CMA Church was pleased to respond by scheduling a visit to see what they could do. They soon arrived, surveyed the area, and listened to stories about the water crisis. It was clear that the need for a safe water source was dire and that the community was prepared to manage it. The Envision staff therefore decided they could help with a deep well.

The staff quickly returned with a drilling machine that got to work.  The water crisis was ended in the Zoumou village!

The local church organized an evangelism campaign around the water well. A total of over 104 people attended the event. The participants learned that the safe water in their well represents the living water of Jesus Christ. 17 people gave their lives to Jesus. Pastor Tiama, led them in a prayer of faith, welcoming Jesus into their hearts.

At the end of their time with the community, the Envision staff held a well dedication ceremony. Everyone gave thanks for the life-changing gift of safe water.

The gift of safe water rescued the residents from thirst, illnesses, and threats to their lifestyle and vocations. The community can now focus on things that truly matter to them. Now that their most basic need is met, their minds are free to focus on higher-level goals. The safe water from their new well will serve as a continuous reminder that the water given by Jesus is water for eternal life.