+  =     Today we took a load of bottles and cans to a local recycling center.  A brief departure from the air-conditioned office to separate some plastic, glass, and aluminum for some cold, hard, cash.  45 minutes later we had $50 more dollars to add to the 5Cents4Change for change campaign. Easy. $50 will help fund the training of two new Self-Help Groups.…

Check out this fascinating update from RENEW LLC detailing their investment efforts in Ethiopia. Their approach will reach into the rural areas we are touching in due time. Until then, hopefully we are catalysts for rural people (7 out of 8) to arise and reach for the kind of opportunity RENEW helps provide. We look towards the day those world’s merge. May it be soon!…

We are half-way to the end of our 5Cents4Change Campaign.  There’s a buzz about collecting bottles and cans to help our friends in the West Arsi District. Our goal is to raise $25,000 by September 15. We are only 10% to our goal as of today, but we believe this can happen.  Here’s a few ways you can maximize your fundraising impact: Set a recycling goal:…

This week we received the tremendous news that the re-drilling of the Kalo well is complete.  If you’ve followed this process, you understand our cautious optimism with the future of this project.  Natural causes, human error, miscommunication between leaders, a steep learning curve for all involved (including Africa Water and Life)…all have created challenges to getting this well running and delivering water to the people.…

Spend a few minutes by reading these encouraging stories from Self Help Group members in West Arsi District, Ethiopia.  The women highlighed have progressed from saving a little to having a savings to starting or improving a business to support their family. Each women is developing a business plan with the help of her SHG. Imagine the joy this experience is bringing to an otherwise…

A few quick tips for 5Cents4Change Fundraisers: Most recycle centers will only redeem glass and plastic bottles and cans. Sometimes, larger plastic containers (i.e. Mott’s Apple Juice) are also redeemable. When in doubt, check the label to make sure it says CA CRV. The rest of your recycle trash (i.e paper) is not redeemable. Plastic bottles must have their caps removed before they can be…

Our summer campaign begins on Sunday. Check out www.africawaterandlife.com for details and see how you can get involved!  Learn more about how 5 cents a week is making a world of difference.

The following is a window into Ethiopia from first time visitor Angie Bailey (wife of Africa Water and Life founder and Board Member Bill Bailey). My trip to Africa was a hard but great experience.  I certainly didn’t feel like a stranger when we got there, because of all the relationships Bill had built.  I truly fell in love with God’s heart for this people…

This image has come up in a lot of discussions with folks connected to Africa Water and Life lately.  It shows the tremendous size and land resources of the African continent. The infographic was designed by http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/2010/the-true-size-of-africa/.

There’s a lot of emphasis these days on discovering and developing new energy sources across Africa. Just this week, news agencies around the world highlighted the development of natural gas off Africa’s east coast. More specifically, Ethiopia is in the middle of a monumental hydro-power project in the Nile River. This is potentially great news for Africa, despite the geo-political turmoil likely to go along with it.   While…