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The Lifewater Story
More than 45 years of service, sacrifice, and safe water.
A Journey Begins
Lifewater Founder and water pump business owner, Bill Ashe, visits Mexico, where he fixes windmill hand pumps at an orphanage.
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A Mission Grows
Bill began ministry with his family and friends in Baja California, Mexico, working obediently and humbly to alleviate suffering in poor communities.
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A Movement is Named
“Lifewater” is born and the groundwork laid for many more to join Bill in bringing water to those who need it most.
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A Global Need
Bill attends Billy Graham conference in Amsterdam and receives over 2,000 requests from pastors and evangelists for safe water from over 100 countries.
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An Organized Response
In response to the flurry of requests received in Amsterdam, Bill and associates formally register Lifewater, Inc (DBA Lifewater International) as a California Non-Profit Corporation.
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The Movement Grows
Lifewater holds its first conference inviting volunteer professionals to become a part of the team. Lifewater continues to build an exceptional team of field trainers.
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Adding Essential Services
Field trainers teach hygiene and hand pump repair programs. These new areas of expertise help Lifewater train indigenous partners and increase impact and sustainability in communities.
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Adapting Strategy
Lifewater adopts Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) strategy focusing on community development and building the capacity of indigenous partners.
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Improving WASH Collaboration
Lifewater helps found the Millennium Water Alliance (MWA) to share knowledge and work with other WASH organizations to advocate for the those experiencing extreme poverty.
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Multiplying Impact
Lifewater develops a WASH curriculum that sets the standard for Christian WASH practitioners in the field.
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Maximizing Impact Regionally
Using momentum and local knowledge to maximize impact, Lifewater adopts a regional program strategy aimed to serve tens of thousands of people with safe water and improved sanitation and hygiene.
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Vision of a Healthy Village
Lifewater launches its first field offices in Ethiopia and Uganda, using local staff with real-time data monitoring to help implement the Vision of a Healthy Village strategy.
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Bearing Fruit
Lifewater celebrates the first “Healthy Home” (in Ethiopia), the building blocks of long-term regional transformation that begins one family at a time.
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