‘Everyone has the right to clean water’

Children in Rwanda traveled to art galleries in New York recently — through the lens of photographer Esther Havens.
Havens documented the drilling of a water well in a remote African village. Living Water International and Charity: Water sponsored the effort.
After making an appearance in New York’s trendy Salt Gallery, the photos were part of an Oklahoma City fundraiser for Wishing Well, a ministry led by students at Christian universities in the U.S.
The event, held in Oklahoma Christian University’s art gallery, also celebrated the ministry’s fundraising efforts, which have resulted in 14 waters wells in nations around the world — including Rwanda.
Globally, about 1.1 million people have no access to clean water, said Ryan Groves, Wishing Well’s executive director. Drinking from contaminated sources leads to millions of deaths each year. But the ministry seeks to do more than raise money to save lives.
“By providing clean water we hope to change lives in developing nations,” Groves said, “and by inspiring others to impact the world we hope to change hearts and communities here.”
The Oklahoma fundraiser also featured journal excerpts by Taylor Walling, an Oklahoma Christian student who traveled to Rwanda with a team to compile a documentary for Wishing Well.
“We believe that everyone has the right to clean water,” Walling said. “God can use us, our gifts and a passion for his kingdom to change the world.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION, see wishingwellafrica.com .