In November 2024, Maranatha began an effort to drill water wells in the Sub-Saharan nation of Malawi. The impetus for this wave of projects is the poor distribution of clean water amongst Malawi’s rural communities. Maranatha has a water crew in Zambia, and a few members were sent to help in Malawi. So far, Maranatha has drilled at 24 sites.
Malawi is the fourth poorest country in the world, with more than 70% of its population living in acute poverty. The Seventh-day Adventist Church there requested Maranatha’s help to alleviate the water shortage faced by those who cannot afford this vital resource.
“Water scarcity affects more than just thirst,” said Maranatha’s country director for Zambia, David Woods. “These wells let kids go to school and women work more on enterprise instead of spending time hauling water long distances. Plenty of water supports food sources like gardens and livestock. All these things will transform the quality of life for people tremendously.”
From 2010 to 2013 Maranatha completed more than 1,000 projects in Malawi. Most of these were One-Day Churches constructed for rural congregations. Now, more than a decade later, these churches are the sites for drilling. Their leadership will serve as caretakers for each well and a point of contact for Maranatha moving forward.
Providing clean water involves more than drilling. These wells will inevitably require attention, no matter how well they’re installed and taken care of. Maranatha increases the longevity of its wells by making routine maintenance visits and responding to church leaders’ requests for repairs.
Maranatha is a supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and mobilizes volunteers to build churches, schools, water wells, and other urgently needed structures around the world. Since 1969, Maranatha has constructed more than 14,000 structures and more than 3,000 water wells in nearly 90 countries.