The picture above was taken in northern Togo earlier this year. It was a really HOT day. I know because I was standing about three feet away when it was taken. It’s one of my favorite pictures.
I love everything about it. I love how it screams strength and determination. I love the man on the left sporting a coat and hat like he’s waiting for a snowstorm. I love how this picture gives you an almost immediate and complete understanding of the impact safe water will have in this community. I love the drillers working in near perfect sync with one another as they turn the auger. I love the people from the community gathered around watching as their lives are changing right in front of their eyes.
I love everything about this picture.
Whenever I’m overwhelmed by the size and scope of the water crisis compared to the small part I play in the fight against it, I pull up this picture. I think about the strength, courage and grit I saw on display that hot day in Togo earlier this year. I think about the heroic work of these drillers and nearly 400 other Water4 field partners who wake up each day full of resolve and commitment to replace water scarcity with water abundance.
When I look at the people in this picture, I see a lot of myself. Like them, I don’t have what it takes to eradicate the water crisis on my own, but I can do something. I can keep digging and so can you.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for investing in the mission of Water4 and the people we serve. Thank you for remembering the 2.1 billion people who don’t have access to safe water. Thank you for empowering the people in this picture and their brothers and sisters all across Sub-Saharan Africa who wake up each day determined to do something about it. Thank you for remembering this one well in this one community in northern Togo. Thank you for making a difference.
