Angola
LWI-Angola began operations in 2006; since then, the team of trained nationals has completed more than 60 water projects, primarily in the Cuenene province near the city of Ondjiva. School supplies and medicine have also been distributed as part of an effort to bring communities to health and self-sufficiency.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Angola on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in AngolaClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Angola
- Population:
- 18 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 49%
- Below poverty line:
- 40%
- Climate:
- Semiarid in the south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)
- Languages:
- Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
- Ethnic Groups:
- Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, Mestico 2%, European, 1%, Other 22%
- Life Expectancy:
- 47 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 180 deaths per 1000 live births
Brazil
In Brazil, LWI teams travel up and down the Amazon River, distributing bio-sand filters among the the tribal communities with the most desperate need.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Brazil on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in BrazilClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Brazil
- Population:
- 192 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 9%
- Below poverty line:
- 31%
- Climate:
- Mostly tropical, but temperate in south
- Languages:
- Portuguese
- Ethnic Groups:
- white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%, other 0.9%, unspecified 0.7%
- Life Expectancy:
- 73 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 23 deaths per 1000 live births
Central African Republic
CAR is one of the poorest countries in the world and one of the ten poorest in Africa. In 2004, LWI began work in the areas of most desperate need; since then, 67 water projects have been completed,including the rehabilitation of hundreds of non-functional wells.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Central African Republic on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in Central African RepublicClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Central African Republic
- Population:
- 4.4 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 34%
- Below poverty line:
- 63%
- Climate:
- Tropical: hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
- Languages:
- French (official), Sangho, tribal languages
- Ethnic Groups:
- Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%
- Life Expectancy:
- 46 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 115 deaths per 1000 live births
El Salvador
Since establishing operations in El Salvador in 1999, LWI has completed 375 new wells, serving tens of thousands of Salvadorans with clean, safe water. Headquartered in Acajutla, LWI-El Salvador serves communities all along the Pacific coast. Most of LWI’s projects in El Salvador are completed as part of mission trips, where teams travel to drill a well and teach valuable health and hygiene lessons in communities where the water situation is critical.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in El Salvador on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in El SalvadorClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in El Salvador
- Population:
- 6.1 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 16%
- Below poverty line:
- 30%
- Climate:
- Tropical on coast; temperate in uplands
- Languages:
- Spanish, Nahua
- Ethnic Groups:
- Mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish) 90%, Amerindian 1%, white 9%
- Life Expectancy:
- 71 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 21 deaths per 1000 live births
Ethiopia
Since beginning work in 2004, LWI-Ethiopia has completed 30 new water projects, touching more than 32,000 lives with improved quality of life, freedom from water-borne disease,and the transforming news of Jesus Christ.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Ethiopia on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in EthiopiaClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Ethiopia
- Population:
- 80.7 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 58%
- Below poverty line:
- 39%
- Climate:
- Tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation
- Languages:
- Amharic, Tigrinya, Oromigna, Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic, Other Local Languages
- Ethnic Groups:
- Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigre 32%, Sidamo 9%, Somali 6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, Other 1%
- Life Expectancy:
- 54 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 81 deaths per 1000 live births
Ghana
LWI-Ghana operates throughout both the northern and southern parts of Ghana,and has completed more than 152 water projects for villages,orphanages,and hospitals across the country.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Ghana on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in GhanaClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Ghana
- Population:
- 23.4 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 20%
- Below poverty line:
- 28%
- Climate:
- Tropical; warm with comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southewest, hot and dry in north
- Languages:
- Asante, Ewe, Fante, Boron, Dagomba, Dangme, Dagarte, Akyem, Ga, Akuapem, other 36.1% (includes English (official))
- Ethnic Groups:
- African 98.5% (major tribes- Akan 44%, Moshi-Dagomba 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga 8%, Gurma 3%, Yoruba 1%), European and Other 1.5%
- Life Expectancy:
- 59 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 51 deaths per 1000 live births
Guatemala
Guatemala is located in the northern part of Central America, and is the most populous country in the region. Since 2002 Living Water International completed hundreds of water projects along the Pacific coast of the country. Health and hygiene classes are regularly held for the women and children of the villages, incorporating the gospel in lessons about basic sanitation. Many of the projects in Guatemala are completed as part of mission trips. If you would like to find out how you can participate, contact Rita Hough (281-207-7831 or rita@water.cc).
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Guatemala on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in GuatemalaClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Guatemala
- Population:
- 13.7 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 4%
- Below poverty line:
- 56%
- Climate:
- Tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
- Languages:
- Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages)
- Ethnic Groups:
- Mestizo and European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikle 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi 6.3%, Other Mayan 8.6%, Indigenous Non-Mayan 0.2%, Other 0.1%
- Life Expectancy:
- 70 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 27 deaths per 1000 live births
Haiti
LWI has been working in Haiti since July of 2004, repairing hundreds of community wells that had been incapacitated by overuse, vandalism, or natural disaster. New wells are now being drilled in areas that have never had clean water.
Operations are underway in the Cap Haitien area in the northeast part of the country and in Leogane, located near the capital of Port-au-Prince; In recent years, LWI teams have been in the right place at the right time, and have been able to help communities rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Ike and other natural disasters.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Haiti on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in HaitiClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Haiti
- Population:
- 9.8 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 42%
- Below poverty line:
- 80%
- Climate:
- Tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds
- Languages:
- French (official), Creole (official)
- Ethnic Groups:
- Black 95%, Mulatto and White 5%
- Life Expectancy:
- 61 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 80 deaths per 1000 live births
Honduras
From humble beginnings in 1997, LWI-Honduras is led by a strong team of Honduran nationals, and completes dozens of wells each year. Teams of LWI volunteers frequently visit to support the work of the team. Headquartered in La Cieba, LWI-Honduras (known in-country as Agua Viva Internacional) also rehabilitates broken-down wells.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Honduras on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in HondurasClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Honduras
- Population:
- 7.2 Million
- Lacking Clean Water:
- 16%
- Below poverty line:
- 50%
- Climate:
- Subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains
- Languages:
- Spanish, Amerindian dialects
- Ethnic Groups:
- Mestizo (mixed Amerindian & European) 90%, Amerindian 7%, black 2%, white 1%
- Life Expectancy:
- 72 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 28 deaths per 1000 live births
India
LWI's teams in India have drilled wells in some of the poorest and most remote parts of the country. Work began in 1998 in the central state of Andhra Pradesh, and grew quickly. An office was established in North India in 2003, and new operations were launched in the south and east in 2007. In a country where nearly 130 million people still lack access to safe water, LWI has completed more than 700 water projects--most in collaboration with local churches, schools, and hospitals.
Visit "India: Loving Our Way Through Persecution", an awareness campaign for LWI India.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in India on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in IndiaClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in India
- Population:
- 1.16 Billion
- Lacking clean water:
- 11%
- Below poverty line:
- 25%
- Climate:
- Varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north
- Languages:
- English, Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Urdu
- Ethnic Groups:
- Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3%
- Life Expectancy:
- 69 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 55 deaths per 1000 live births
Kenya
LWI's first national operation, LWI-Kenya, is at work across the entire country, with offices in Nairobi, Kakamega, and Mombasa. Four deep rock drill rigs are at work in the central highlands, with shallow well operations taking place along the coast and in the west. LWI-Kenya works closely with the national government and a number of other aid organizations in finding the areas of greatest need.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Kenya on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in KenyaClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Kenya
- Population:
- 39.8 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 43%
- Below poverty line:
- 50%
- Climate:
- Varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior
- Languages:
- English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages
- Ethnic Groups:
- Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and Arab) 1%
- Life Expectancy:
- 57 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 55 deaths per 1000 live births
Liberia
LWI Liberia was established in May of 2004. In September, a team began repairing water pumps destroyed by Liberia's 14-year civil war. In 2005, LWI established a training center to equip resettled refugees and de-mobilized fighters with trade skills. Over the course of this eight month program, trainees were instructed in health and hygiene, AIDS prevention, and were equipped with hands-on training in operating well drilling equipment. They are now at work rebuilding their nation and sharing the love of Jesus.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Liberia on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in LiberiaClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Liberia
- Population:
- 3.8 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 36%
- Below poverty line:
- 80%
- Climate:
- Tropical; hot, humid; dry winters; wet, cloudy summers
- Languages:
- English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages
- Religions:
- Indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%
- Ethnic Groups:
- Indigenous African tribes 95%, Americo-Liberians 2.5%, Congo 2.5%
- Life Expectancy:
- 58 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 93 deaths per 1000 live births
Mexico
Since beginning operations in Northern Mexico in 2002, LWI has expanded into Central, Southeast, and Southern Mexico, providing sustainable water solutions for hundreds of communities. LWI Mexico serves remote communities that are often too small or inaccessible to receive attention from the government. More than 225 water projects have been completed in these areas, serving hundreds of thousands with a cup of water in Jesus' name.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Mexico on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in MexicoClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Mexico
- Population:
- 109.6 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 5%
- Below poverty line:
- 14%
- Climate:
- Varies from tropical to desert
- Languages:
- Spanish, various Mayan and Nahuatl
- Ethnic Groups:
- Mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian 30%, white 9%
- Life Expectancy:
- 75 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 16 deaths per 1000 live births
Namibia
Living Water International began operation in Nambia in 2006, and is already making a marked difference in the northernmost areas of this arid nation.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Namibia on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in NamibiaClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Namibia
- Population:
- 2.1 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 7%
- Below poverty line:
- 34%
- Climate:
- desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
- Languages:
- English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population
- Ethnic Groups:
- black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5%; about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe
- Life Expectancy:
- 53 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 47 deaths per 1,000 live births
Nicaragua
LWI has been drilling wells along the Pacific coast of Nicaragua since 2001. The countryside is covered with small villages filled with families that do not have access to clean water. In 2005, volunteer drill crews began traveling into Nicaragua to drill and conduct hygiene education in these areas. More than 70 new wells have been completed and approximately 150 wells have been rehabilitated. Mission teams drill wells of 80+ feet that are capable of producing clean, safe water for villages of 150 to 200 people. LWI-Nicaragua hopes to to increase drilling production to 20 wells per year (or more) in 2010 and beyond.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Nicaragua on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in NicaraguaClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Nicaragua
- Population:
- 5.7 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 21%
- Below poverty line:
- 48%
- Climate:
- tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands
- Languages:
- Spanish, Miskito
- Ethnic Groups:
- mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5%
- Life Expectancy:
- 72 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 21 deaths per 1,000 live births
Nigeria
LWI recently completed a five-well project in Zing, a region along the eastern edge of Nigeria. Each of Zing’s villages has an average population of 5,000 non-migrant inhabitants, but during the dry season, thousands of nomadic Fulanis come to settle in the villages. The population for each village can surge above 20,000 during this time since they are home to the only source of water for miles.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Nigeria on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in NigeriaClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Nigeria
- Population:
- 154.7 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 53%
- Below poverty line:
- 70%
- Climate:
- Varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north
- Languages:
- English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulanidd>
- Ethnic Groups:
- Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%
- Life Expectancy:
- 47 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 97 deaths per 1000 live births
Peru
LWI has had operations in Peru since 1998 and has completed more than 240 water projects since inception. In 2004, LWI-Peru began its partnership with Tommy Head Peru Ministries deep in the heart of the Peruvian rainforest, bringing clean, life-saving water to tribes living along the Amazon River. In the Peruvian jungle, the average life expectancy is 47 years, rather than the national average of 73. The infant mortality rate is more than 50 percent. The need for sustainable water solutions and health and hygiene education is desperate.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Peru on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in PeruClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Peru
- Population:
- 28.8 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 16%
- Below poverty line:
- 44%
- Climate:
- Tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes
- Languages:
- Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara
- Ethnic Groups:
- Amerindian 45%, Mestizo 37%, White 15%
- Life Expectancy:
- 73 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 28 deaths per 1000 live births
Rwanda
LWI-Rwanda is the only non-profit organization operating drilling equipment in Rwanda. Villagers in many areas are forced to walk miles to the nearest source of water, which is often still contaminated. LWI-Rwanda drills up to 50 new water wells per year in these desperate communities.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Rwanda on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in RwandaClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Rwanda
- Population:
- 9.7 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 35%
- Below poverty line :
- 60%
- Climate:
- Varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north
- Languages:
- Kinyarwanda (official) universal Bantu vernacular, French (official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili) used in commercial centers
- Ethnic Groups:
- Hutu (Bantu) 84%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 15%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%
- Life Expectancy:
- 50 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 109 deaths per 1000 live births
Sierra Leone
LWI-Sierra Leone launched in the wake of the nation's civil war. The operation trains ex-child soldiers and women who were victimized during the hostilities, equipping them to rehabilitate broken-down wells and educate villagers in basic health and hygiene practices.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Sierra Leone on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in Sierra LeoneClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Sierra Leone
- Population:
- 9.7 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 47%
- Below poverty line:
- 70%
- Climate:
- Tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season; winter dry season
- Languages:
- English, Mende, Temne, Krio
- Ethnic Groups:
- 20 African ethnic groups 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%), Creole (Krio) 10%
- Life Expectancy:
- 48 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 155 deaths per 1000 live births
Sudan
LWI Sudan began work in 2004, helping communities throughout the southern regions of the country recover from the decades of violence that have plagued the area. Many village wells were maliciously destroyed by one group or another, when they suspected that a particular village was not sympathetic to their cause. The repairing of these wells is a sign of the healing that is beginning to happen as communities come together to address water needs.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Sudan on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in SudanClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Sudan
- Population:
- 41.3 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 30%
- Below poverty line:
- 40%
- Climate:
- Tropical in south; arid in north (desert); rainy season varies by region
- Languages:
- Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, English
- Ethnic Groups:
- Black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, Foreigners 2%
- Life Expectancy:
- 58 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 81 deaths per 1000 live births
Tanzania
LWI Tanzania began in 1998, when LWI staff set out to drill wells for tribespeople in the arid northern region of the country. They soon discovered that shallow-well drilling equipment was not an effective solution, due to the the rocky soil conditions. Director Lance Whyle developed a plan to have villagers hand-dig wells, which the LWI team would then line with concrete and equip with hand pumps. This resulted in safe, contained water systems, and allowed the local people to be integrally involved in the process. In the years since, dozens of water projects have been completed, and many villages have heard the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. New initiatives are being developed for other parts of the country, including the purchase of drilling equipment for work to the south, and well rehabilitation projects in places where wells exist but are inoperable. LWI Tanzania welcomes volunteers!
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Tanzania on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in TanzaniaClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Tanzania
- Population:
- 42.4 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 45%
- Below poverty line:
- 36%
- Climate:
- Varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands
- Languages:
- Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguju, English (official)
- Ethnic Groups:
- mainland- native African 99%, other 1%; Zanzibar- Arab, native African, mixed Arab, and native African
- Life Expectancy:
- 56 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 73 deaths per 1000 live births
Uganda
LWI is at work throughout Uganda, and has completed several hundred successful wells since beginning work in 2001. Recent work has focused on the IDP (Internally Displaced People) Camps in northern Uganda, where people fled when driven from their homes by the conflict between the government and various warlords in that area. In many cases, tens of thousands of people are crowded into a camp that was never intended to hold that many people, and most water wells are broken, if they exist at all.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Uganda on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in UgandaClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Uganda
- Population:
- 27 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 36%
- Below poverty line :
- 37%
- Climate:
- Tropical; generally rainy with 2 dry seasons
- Languages:
- English (official), Ganda or Luganda
- Ethnic Groups:
- Baganda 17%, Ankole 8%, Basoga 8%, Iteso 8%, Bakiga 7%, Langi 6%, Rwanda 6%, Bagisu 5%, Acholi 4%, Lugbara 4%, Batoro 3%, Bunyoro 3%, Alur 2%
- Life Expectancy:
- 53 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 65 deaths per 1000 live births
Zambia
Since 2007, Living Water International has been working to provide sustainable water solutions in Zambia. 42 percent of Zambia’s population does not have access to clean water, creating serious health risks, lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, and higher rates of preventable disease transmission. LWI is working to change this. Since beginning operations in Zambia, more than 425 water projects have been completed, and our partners on the ground plan to drill and rehabilitate many more wells in the coming year.
Learn more, view the project reportsClick here to view reports from 1999-2008Explore, with Google EarthClick here to plot our projects in Zambia on Google EarthHelp support our efforts in ZambiaClick here to make a donation towards our efforts in Zambia
- Population:
- 12.6 Million
- Lacking clean water:
- 42%
- Below poverty line:
- 68%
- Climate:
- Tropical, modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April)
- Languages:
- Bemba 30.1% (official), Nyanja 10.7% (official), Tonga 10.6% (official), English 1.7% (official), other African languages
- Ethnic Groups:
- African 99.5% (includes Bemba, Tonga, Chewa, Lozi, Nsenga, Tumbuka, Ngoni, Lala, Kaonde, Lunda, and other African groups), other 0.5% (includes Europeans, Asians, and Americans)
- Life Expectancy:
- 46 years
- Infant Mortality Rate:
- 92 deaths per 1000 live births
