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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Adapting Strategy

Lifewater adopts Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) strategy focusing on community development and building the capacity of indigenous partners.

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.

Multiplying Impact

Lifewater develops a WASH curriculum that sets the standard for Christian WASH practitioners in the field.

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.

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.

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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