 Haitian women usually carry a five gallon bucket on top of their heads. We might be tempted to get the water from a nearby creek instead of walking to a well. However, upstream a short way, cattle are in the creek. Further upstream people are washing clothes and dishes. We can readily understand why diarrhea, typhoid, parasites, and other water borne illnesses plague large portions of Haitians.
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
Matt 10:42
These words from Jesus take on new meaning. With World Relief's help, both financially and through the WR missionaries, Apostolic Water Aid (AWA) has installed over 500 public wells with hand pumps during the past 26 years.
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
John 4:10
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The mission of AWA is to provide needy Haitians with good clean water within reasonable walking distance. Knowing the problems of unsafe drinking water, we desire to provide drilling equipment, supplies, and training for the Haitians to drill wells for themselves. We do this in the name of Jesus Christ.
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 AWA has trained a Haitian well drilling crew of five men who drill the water wells. The drilling team has served us faithfully by operating the drilling equipment over the years. We have come to know them well and have become close friends. They are wonderful Christian examples in Haiti, and experts at drilling wells. The drillers and their families need your prayers and support as this is difficult work.
World Relief provides the funds to purchase drilling equipment and to send sea containers with needed supplies. As you can imagine, well drilling equipment is expensive to operate and maintain.
 Special heavy duty hand pumps are manufactured by AWA-FRW (Francesville, Remington and Wolcott) brethren and are installed on the wells. On the cover of each pump is engraved the words "In the name of Jesus Christ." The community served by the new well is asked to share in its cost and help to maintain the well.
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This mission was started when brothers from Bluffton, IN sent a small trailer mounted drilling rig to Haiti in 1985. Many wells were drilled with that first rig. As time passed, the responsibility for AWA was transferred to Tremont, IL where it is today.
For many years, trailer mounted drilling rigs were used. In 2004, a modern truck mounted drill rig was reconditioned and sent to Haiti. Two of the drillers came to the U.S. for training and lived with the Tremont congregation for a month. It was a blessing to host them. Production increased considerably with the use of this rig and they now drill about one well every week.
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 The past 26 years of well drilling would not have been possible without your prayers and support and we thank you. Looking ahead, we see a continued need, and ask on behalf of the Haitian people, for your continued prayers and support to keep the AWA mission going.
Work Teams
We send three teams each year to give support and training for the drill team, visit completed wells, and assist them in well drilling and equipment repair/maintenance. We are always in need of volunteers for these trips. While mechanical repair experience is helpful, anyone with an interest in the project is welcome to go on an AWA team. Work team schedules can be found in the Silver Lining or click here.
For more information contact:
Maurie Schaefer
309-253-9003
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In less than 60 seconds, 99.9% of us reading this article can have a drink of cold clean water. Now place yourself in Haiti. A sanitary well is miles away and walking is your transportation. If you had to walk a mile for water, you would not return with one glass full but all the water you can carry.
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.