According to the United Nations, 65 per cent of Mali's rural population doesn't have access to a safe drinking water source. Most people get their water from traditional hand-dug wells.

Hand-Dug Wells Put People at Risk
These wells aren't deep enough to reach a steady supply of water and are more likely to become contaminated by human and animal waste and infested with flies and larvae. People who drink water from hand-dug wells risk getting diseases such as diarrhea and guinea worm, which are among the leading causes of death for children in Mali.

Safe Drinking Water in Rural Mali 
Using heavy machinery, World Vision geophysicists are drilling 79 borehole wells in southeastern Mali in this year. Funded through child sponsorship and a grant from the Conrad N Hilton Foundation, these wells are much deeper than the existing traditional wells. World Vision also has the water tested to ensure that it's safe to drink.

In each village where World Vision drills a borehole well, staff members establish a village water committee to take care of the new well and to educate the rest of the community on hygiene, disease prevention, latrine building, and pump maintenance. 

Fatouma's Village Rejoices  
Fatouma Togo is an 8-year-old girl who is sponsored by Canadians. She suffered diarrhea and worms last February from the traditional well in her village. Her community received a new borehole well from World Vision this past spring. Everyone is looking forward to the health that will be made possible by the new well.
 
Using the local word for water, 'di' , the women talk excitedly about planting a vegetable garden and keeping their children healthy and clean. The idea of having an abundance of clean water, even during the dry season, makes Fatouma's grandfather chuckle. "I can't even imagine it," he says. "For us, it's incredible."

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