Believe it or not the first community said “no”. We had explained the CHE philosophy, community driven with community resources so they have ownership of the ongoing projects and their success. They just wanted the usual, non-sustainable handout. “Just give us rice and beans”.

The next community seemed to call to us, Pickmy, pronounced “pick me”! They were willing to give us a chance. We met with the leaders and facilitated discussions on what assets their community had, including hard workers, as well as their areas that they saw as problems. They discussed and voted that their biggest problem was with cholera and what we perceived as other hygiene and waterborne illnesses. We were able to educate the leaders as to the source of these illnesses. And together we developed a game plan. Through teaching how to purify water, hand hygiene, and latrine building, the community soon had eliminated cholera and the waterborne illnesses from their community. Their success was obvious to the other communities and each were excited to be the next community to start these projects, These success’s in clean water also allowed us the privilege of sharing with the community how to have the living water of Christ.