CANORA - The local non-profit organization, Give Me Water Lord (GMWL), has been working in Kenya for 14 years, after the organization’s president Vic Hamer of Elkhart, Illinois, first traveled there in 2010.
Hamer, who enjoys spending time at Burgis Beach during the summer months, said the first water well project was placed in 2011 and named “Ruth’s Well.” Since that time, GMWL has placed five additional wells that serve thousands of rural residents with clean, safe drinking water.
“Bringing clean water to a village has a tremendous and positive impact for the people,” Hamer noted. “Clean water means the babies are a lot healthier and have a much better chance of living to adulthood. The general population is also much healthier and even the livestock is healthier. Also a very important issue is the fact that Kenya is subjected to annual drought conditions. A well is able to provide the lifesaving water throughout the year.”
Other projects that GMWL has developed over the years include donating goats to very needy families.
“When a drought happens there is no rain, which means no grass and the livestock die, leaving many families without a source of income,” Hamer explained. “Providing a female goat to a family gives them the chance to have a ‘start over’ and brings hope back into their lives.”
Another important program for Hamer is handing out Bibles.
“Many people in Kenya are extremely hungry for the word of God. However most of the people cannot afford to buy a Bible,” Hamer shared. “In Kenya, if one is fortunate to have a job, they are working 14 to 18 hours per day and for six days a week. For this, they earn approximately $100 U.S. dollars per month. With rent being $70 U.S. per month, they are left with only $30 to buy groceries, clothing, support their children and pay their taxes.”
He noted that a Bible in Kenya can cost $15 to $20 U.S. “so it is basically impossible for anyone to be able to afford one.”
Hamer said, “I have actually had several ladies start to cry when I hand them a Bible. They feel so blessed. Even the men, the security guards and those in the Army are so thankful to receive a Bible.”
During his return mission trips to Kenya, Hamer goes back to the villages where GMWL has placed a water well. This ensures the well is maintained and working properly.
He noted that research shows that nearly 80 per cent of the water wells that have been placed in Africa are no longer working.
“This is due to several factors. One, the village has not been asked to donate anything toward the project, so when something breaks there is no incentive to fix it. Two, the organization which has placed the well does not return to the village to make sure that it is working.”
Knowing this, Hamer has developed incentives for the villages to be involved and he returns to check on the water well projects.
One of the Kenyan wells was completed in Feb. 2024 for a Maasai community in Kenya, in memory of Shelby Brandon, daughter of Crystal and Troy McNaughton of Canora, who passed away in November 2021. Shelby’s parents traveled to Kenya earlier this year to visit the village where the well was up and running.
“The villagers wanted to shake our hands, hug us and thank us for answered prayers!” said Crystal. “To be honest, I spent the next 30 minutes with tears streaming down my face. It was so overwhelming but in the best way! Most of the people do not speak English but the huge smiles on their faces showed what they were thinking. This is life changing!”
Hamer will be returning to Kenya in January to continue his mission work with Give Me Water Lord. This will mark his 15th year of serving the people in Kenya. He will be placing another water well project in a rural area, donating goats to needy farmers, giving out Bibles and helping others in his path.
Vic would like to acknowledge the people in Saskatchewan and especially those in the Ebenezer, Springside and Yorkton area for their support.
"I have been blessed to have traveled in the US, Canada and a few other countries, however the people in Saskatchewan are among the best,” he said. “They are very friendly, still maintain common sense, strong Christians and are very appreciative and giving people.
“In fact some people have already made donations to purchase goats and donated Bibles."
Hamer mentioned that all of the GMWL projects are important, but the most important is the water well projects.
“Water is essential. Nothing can survive without it.”
This next well project will be placed in honor of Vic's parents, Carlynn and Frederick Hamer. “These are the people who gave me the character of helping others,” he said. “When Mom would make some soup, she always made extra and we had two widow ladies in the neighborhood. As a young boy, it was my job to deliver a bowl of soup to them. My Dad really didn't have any extra money, however if he saw someone in need, he always reached into his wallet and gave them something.”
For more information on any of the GMWL projects or how to help, contact Vic Hamer at [email protected]; or mail Give Me Water Lord, P.O. Box 83, Elkhart, IL 62634.
Anyone who would like to make a donation to GMWL, may do so by sending a check to the Ebenezer Baptist Church, 113 3rd Ave, Ebenezer, Sk, S0A 0T0.
It's important to note on the check; For GMWL, and the name of the project- either Water Well, Goat Project, Bibles or Use as needed.
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