Build a water well in Africa? Why you don’t need to be Mr. Beast to help others

In a world where influencers often make headlines for controversial reasons, it’s refreshing to see someone use their platform to make a truly impactful change in the world. Recently, the YouTube star Mr. Beast shared a video showcasing a project in which he funded the construction of 100 water wells in Africa. Mr. Beast’s remarkable act of generosity will not only benefit tens of thousands of people for years to come: it is also shedding light on the critical issue of water scarcity in many parts of Africa.

We take clean water for granted here in the United States, where the nearest source of clean water is typically no further away than the nearest kitchen sink or refrigerator. This is not so for more than 200 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. Untold numbers of people in this part of the world, especially in rural communities, subsist on water gathered from nearby lakes, rivers, ponds, or simply from holes in the ground that collect rainwater. These water sources are unprotected from contaminants, including human, animal and industrial waste. Because of this, sub-Saharan Africa suffers some of the highest rates of waterborne diseases – including diarrhea, cholera, typhoid and dysentery – in the world. Studies show a lack of clean water is linked closely with high child mortality rates, shorter life spans, lower school graduation rates, less food production, and less prosperous local economies.

The good news: building water wells can virtually eliminate all of these problems!

Unfortunately, building a well takes lots of hard work, heavy machinery and money: things that are often in short supply in less-prosperous areas of the world like Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon and Chad. But it’s an investment with a truly inspirational impact! With a reliable water source, individuals can improve their health, sanitation, and overall quality of life. Children – especially young girls – can attend school regularly instead of spending hours fetching water, and communities can focus on agricultural production and economic activities, fostering growth and development.

With Embrace Relief, You Can Be A Clean Water Hero Too

Mr. Beast’s wonderful initiative will have a profoundly positive impact on hundreds of communities for generations to come, and we celebrate his generosity. But we also want you to know that you don’t need millions of YouTube subscribers to change lives in Africa: you can support Embrace Relief!

Embrace Relief has brought clean water to more than 850,000 people in Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda since 2013 through two programs responsible for more than 850 wells: our Clean Water Initiative, which builds new wells, and our Fountains of Hope project, which restores abandoned and broken wells. Click the links to learn all about the lives we’ve touched and the impact we’ve made.

If you’d like to make a difference like Mr. Beast, you can by donating to support these two excellent programs! Any donation amount will make a real difference in people’s lives. But if you are looking to make the biggest impact, you can build and name your own water well with a donation of:

• $3,950 for a new water well
• $1,300 for a reconstructed water well

Additionally, all wells (new and restored) come with a guaranteed five-year warranty covering all maintenance and part replacement.