Clean Water Comes to Zebediya Village
Zebediya Village Well Project - Impact Dashboard
Zebediya Village has clean water for the first time in its history. Thanks to the incredible generosity of 3 donors, 679 people in this Malawi community now have access to safe drinking water, ending their reliance on a shallow, muddy pond shared with livestock that threatened their health for generations.
This project was made possible by the extraordinary generosity of Steve A. from the US and his 96-year-old mother, whose remarkable gift funded almost 90% of this entire well. The donation was made in Steve's name by his mother, who wanted to support this life-changing mission. Steve also helped fund one of Father Petros's early well projects before Water of Mercy was even formed. Their family's compassion is helping transform an entire community.
We also extend deep gratitude to our faithful friend Jörg P. from Germany, whose unwavering support of Water of Mercy continues to inspire us. With an astounding 25 donations to date across 9 different village well projects, Jörg P. exemplifies the kind of sustained commitment that makes lasting change possible. His generosity has helped bring clean water to Zebediya, Bundi, Zakariya, Mchilawengo, Khorwa, Kajombo, Msese, Luwerezi, and Msambanyifwa.
Together, our donors exemplify how generosity can transform entire communities, one well at a time.
From Crisis to Clean Water
Before this well, the 679 residents of Zebediya Village had no choice but to collect water from a shallow, muddy pond shared with livestock. This small water source is little more than liquid mud, yet it remains the only option for drinking, cooking, and daily use. Families must wade through tall grass to reach the pond and scoop the murky, contaminated water into containers.
The water is visibly unsafe, thick with sediment and animal waste from livestock that share the same source. This area is prone to cholera and other waterborne diseases, presenting severe health risks to the entire community.
Rapid Impact, Lasting Change
Fully funded at 100% of our goal on January 29, 2026, Zebediya Village was our first of two villages fully funded that day! The well was drilled on Sunday, February 23, 2026, just 25 days after reaching full funding.
Today, 679 people have access to clean, safe drinking water directly in their village, eliminating the need for residents to collect contaminated water from a muddy pond shared with livestock. The project has dramatically reduced the risk of cholera and other waterborne diseases that threatened this community, fundamentally improving the overall health and well-being of residents. Families now have reliable access to clean water year-round, breaking the cycle of disease caused by their former contaminated water source.
The village will establish a maintenance committee to care for the well, and with proper management, this vital resource should serve the community for approximately 75 years.
Pump Blessing
On March 3, 2026, Father Petros presided over the blessing of the new pump at Zebediya Village. The ceremony was filled with prayer and song as the community gathered to give thanks for this life-changing gift. In a moving expression of gratitude, community members offered generous gifts of flowers, plants, produce, grain, livestock, and money for the poor — a deeply meaningful act of charity from a village that has known great hardship.
Please keep Father Petros in your prayers as he continues his dedicated work serving the people of Malawi.
The Power of Generosity
The Zebediya Village Well Project demonstrates the incredible impact that can be achieved when donors answer the call to serve those in need. Three individuals, including a 96-year-old woman in the US whose compassion moved her to fund almost the entire project, saw a community drinking from a muddy pond shared with livestock and responded with extraordinary generosity. You have given the gift of health to 679 people and to generations yet to be born. Never again will families in Zebediya have to wade through tall grass to scoop contaminated water from a livestock pond.
A gallery of the well drilling, construction, and pump blessing images and videos from the Zebediya Village Well Project are included below.