Fountain of Life Projects

Low-cost boreholes

Fountain of Life is dedicated to bringing a sustainable source of safe water to those in need. The primary focus of our work is centered on offering individuals and/or families the ability to own their own borehole, which creates not only dignity but long term sustainability and self-sufficiency.

By using locally sourced materials, a little ingenuity and manual drilling techniques, we are able to reduce the cost of having a source of safe water to just £180.

The beneficiary pays a fee, according to their ability, to support our drillers and, if needed, helps in the drilling.

Once drilling is complete, Fountain of Life donates all of the materials needed to case the borehole and to fabricate a bespoke hand pump. This pump provides readily accessible water for drinking, cooking, washing, cleaning, etc. and it means no longer having to rely on contaminated open community wells which are often located far from the home.

Become a Borehole Buddy by sponsporing a borehole today. Make a one-off donation of £180 or a recurring monthly donation of £15

You can experience the joy of making a difference without the hassle behind it. Giving has never been easier. You can sign-up online and immediately make a one-off donation or set-up a monthly gift that automatically gets donated each month without having to remember–it’s that easy.

Every donation causes a ripple, many ripples become a wave. When you become a Borehole Buddy your act of kindness, will create ripple effects that we cannot even imagine.

Become a Borehole Buddy

Project 100

The goal of Project 100 is to install another 100 boreholes providing access to water for approximately 10,000 people. At the same time we aim to double our workforce by recruiting and training a second installation team.

Donate to Project 100

We also want to buy a new off-road motorbike to improve our response to maintenance needs, minimising pump downtime and maximising the number of pumps in operation.

Project costs include:

£18,000 - Materials (£180 per borehole)
£3,500 - Off-road Motorbike
£2,500 - TafTaf (local form of transport)
£1,500 - Impact assessment
£300 - Water level dip meter

Project 52

In 2021 we set ourselves the target of installing 52 new boreholes equipped with handpumps that would provide access to safe water to approximately 5,000 people in the Casamance region of Senegal.

Over the course of 12 months we not only hit our target but we surpassed it by completing 68 new boreholes and reaching at least 6,000 people.

Tippy tap

The problem

Hand washing with soap saves lives. And yet, millions of lives are being lost because people are not practicing it!

We’re not talking about an expensive vaccine or a high tech drinking water supply scheme. We’re talking about the simple act of washing hands with soap.

Yet this life saving, low cost act is rarely practiced and difficult to promote.

What is a Tippy Tap?

The Tippy Tap is a hands free way to wash your hands that is especially appropriate for rural areas where there is no running water. It is operated by a foot lever and thus reduces the chance for bacteria transmission as the user touches only the soap.

It uses only 40 millilitres of water to wash your hands versus 500 millilitres using a mug. Additionally, the used “waste” water can go to plants or back into the water table.

While the tippy tap is a great technology, it is just that – a technology. It is important to recognise that there is a difference between great technology and adoption of the technology. However, it is a great tool that can help kick start the conversation about hand washing with soap and help increase this behaviour. And it does so in a fun and easy manner that is especially appealing to children.

For more information about the global handwashing problem and the Tippy Tap (including many tools and resources in multiple languages), visit the website.

Donate to our projects

None of the work that we do would be possible without people just like you. When you partner with Fountain of Life you can have a direct impact and transform people’s lives.

Since our goal is empowering locals, we do not bring mission or work teams to do the drilling. Instead we focus on providing the training, logistical support, materials and encouragement to allow locals to be agents of change themselves. However, this does not mean that we don’t need you!