About 1008 Wells

(See Photo Journal of Sabrong Village Project below!)

First well funded by 1008 Wells Foundation – Sabrong, West Bengal – Sept. 2005.

The One Thousand and Eight Wells Foundations, Inc. (1008 Wells Foundation) was created to raise awareness of the need for clean, healthy drinking water and to generate funding for the construction of freshwater drinking systems in arid and remote regions of India. The drinking water systems vary between gravity flow and bored wells depending on the specific locale, availability of natural resources, and villages they will service.

Inspiration for the well projects came as a direct result of Jadeine Shives,’ Founding Director, travels throughout India on spiritual pilgrimage viewing the desperate water situation of its indigenous population.

Wanting desperately to make a difference, she vowed she had to do something though at that moment she wasn’t sure what or how. Four years after that first promise to herself and God, the answer became clear in a dream, and the birth of the 1008 Wells Foundation was born.

Immediately a partner in the project was sought, one with years of experience in construction of freshwater wells. Through an unexpected chance meeting that was truly Divinely orchestrated, two people met on a rainy evening in Bali, a land halfway between India and the United States. Zooming back to a small hotel, sick herself from tainted drinking water received from the holiest temple in the country – the Temple of Eternal Waters, Jadeine met Jagdish Ghimire of World Neighbors, the Director of South Asia Projects. Who could have guessed that from a water-borne illness received in a temple a blessing would arise? But it did, and the next step of the project was underway.

A partnership was formed between 1008 Wells Foundation and World Neighbors Organization, a non-government, non-profit, non-religious, incorporation with over 50 years experience working and constructing such projects. After discussing the primary purpose of the Foundation and the goals of World Neighbors, an agreement was joyfully made with World Neighbors utilizing funding from the 1008 Wells Foundation for freshwater drinking system construction projects throughout various regions of India. (See photo journal of a the Sabrong Well project below sponsored by the Hindu University of America.)

Photo Journal of a Drinking Water Project.

Sabrong Village of Sinji Gram Panchayat, West Bengal India.
(August and September 2005)

	The “Water Council” representing all members of the village come together to discuss the specific needs of the community. Their top priority: a sustainable source of clean drinking water that is compatible with the location of the village’s steep slope.
The original water source was open and vulnerable to disease. This small pipe had to serve an entire village of 120 people.
	Funds forwarded by 1008 Wells Foundation purchases training and hardware for construction of well. Since the village is remote, these workers will walk hours with loads easily reaching 60-100 lbs each. Everyone participates by carrying something.
	It’s back breaking work digging the trenches, but the promise of a sustainable water source free of contamination is worth it.
It took weeks to dig a trench from the original water source at the top of the mountain down into the village at the base.
	Everyone in the village gets to participate and make a lasting contribution to the community’s welfare. The partnership of funds from 1008 Wells, training by World Neighbors, and labor by the residents offers this Sabrong village not a hand out, but a hand up with dignity and lasting pride!
	A holding tank is constructed to allow for water accessibility 24 hours a day without waste or worry of disease contamination.
A tap stand is surveyed and constructed for community accessibility. In other words, water for everyone!
	After weeks of hard labor, water finally flows and forever changes the lives of everyone in the village of Sinji Gram Panchayat! Every resident of the community has reason to be proud of their accomplishment. Each person has played a crucial role in its realization!

Two communities are forever linked with the blessings flowing from one freshwater well. Orlando, Florida was the source for the funds and Sabrong, West Bengal was the source for the labor. Each had something of equal value to offer and each finds pride in the project’s completion.

One December 10, 2005, a special ceremony was performed joining water from the first well in Sabrong and water from Lake Eola Park in Orlando. Everyone participating was touched by the symbolism of the event and the moving words spoken by Jagdish Ghimire, Area Representative for World Neighbors South Asia projects. “Inspiring people and strengthening communities” is the mission behind World Neighbors. Through a three-way partnership of Sinji Gram Panchayat, 1008 Wells Foundation and World Neighbors that is exactly what was achieved!

Are you ready to join in the river of excitement by funding your own well project?

1008 Wells Foundation

8297 Champions Gate Blvd, Ste 127

Champions Gate, FL 33896

407-460-7276

info@1008wells.org