What We Do
Water 4 Mercy provides the 'One-Two-Three Punch' to permanently end thirst, hunger and poverty in our world. With our innovative technologies we provide clean water, agriculture, and educational solutions. To ensure a permanent solution Africa, our 'Boots on the Ground" partners, Israeli NGO's innovation:Africa (iA) and CultivAid integrate four critical components in our proven, sustainable approach that is 100% successful:
1) Community Involvement
From the beginning, iA's 'team of experts' set up a 'Village Solar/Water Committee" to involve the villagers in the project so that they understand how the systems work and what to do when there is a problem.
2) Boots on the Ground
iA staff are locals who speak the language and understand the village life and culture and oversee the "Village Solar/Water Committee" who are quickly regarded as 'family' by many of the villagers. Our permanent “boots on the ground” are the critical communication link between villagers, iA technicians, local governments and donors.
3) Real-time System Monitoring
Production at every installation is continuously monitored electronically via satellite so that iA technicians are immediately aware of a system failure. Within hours of a problem occurring, local agents and villagers who are responsible for maintenance of the system address and resolve any issues.
4) Drip Irrigation for Optimal Farming
CultivAid's agricultural 'team of experts' oversee the drip irrigation implementation with iA staff and the villagers. CultivAid staff transfer knowledge and train the villagers on optimal agricultural practices. Villagers learn about farming practices to optimize crop production for a healthy food source and also to gain financial independence.
Do you want a more in depth explanation of how the process works? Click here!
AITEC - Agricultural Innovation & Technology Center
AITEC - Water 4 Mercy's Agricultural Innovation & Technology Center of Excellence is located in Dodoma, Tanzania. AITEC is being implemented within the Don Bosco Network of Technical Institutes (TVETs) throughout Africa to 'build capacity' in Horticulture and Animal Husbandry with Water 4 Mercy's Training, Development and Research (TDR) sites.
Africa will flourish - forever!
Then the rest of the world. TIKKUN OLAM.
Why We Do It
Seeing firsthand the desperate needs of the villagers when staying in Dodoma on her fourth visit to Tanzania in Africa, Nermine’s heart was forever changed. She saw people lacking the very basic human needs we take for granted - starting with a source of potable water. The people are not healthy and walk for hours to collect water that is often dirty or contaminated with life-threatening diseases.
Many hours are spent walking to find water in holes in the ground instead of schooling, studying, helping with the family and so much more.All of this time walking just to find poor quality water in limited supply. If water is not found, they drink the blood of animals to avoid dying of thirst.
Realizing that her past efforts over the years in providing funds for education, food, clothes, medical care, etc was a “band-Aid” solution, Nermine was determined to make a real impact. Prayerful discernment led to the realization that access to clean water is THE ANSWER to breaking the cycle of poverty.
How We Do It
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Innovation:Africa (iA) installs a solar-powered well accessing water that is trapped in the aquifers below the ground in regions where there is drought and hunger.
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A pump is inserted into the shaft with a solar panel connection to reach the aquifer. This water is then deposited into a water tower that local villagers help construct.
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When water is needed, it is propelled by gravity to destinations around the village. By remote monitoring, the installed system is resistant to breakdown, vandalism, or theft, problems typically faced by water systems installed by many aid organizations.
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iA's remotely monitored solar water pumping system provides over 20,000 liters of clean water per day per village.
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Throughout the village, there is enough water for drinking and also for implementing Israeli developed drip irrigation systems.
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This allows families to grow more food with less water and provides a means for financial independence by selling the excess crops at markets.