WC145 NovDec 2025 - Magazine - Page 6
FIRST DROPS
Water related news,
events, and trends
from Canada and
around the world
LIFEWATER CANADA is celebrating 30 years of bringing clean,
safe drinking water to communities across Africa and Haiti—an anniversary that will see the organization surpass 10
million people served by the end of this year.
Founded in 1995 by the late Ontario hydrogeologist Jim
Gehrels, the registered charity has completed more than
22,000 water projects in Liberia, Nigeria, Kenya and Haiti.
Gehrels launched Lifewater after learning he would eventually
lose his sight to a degenerative eye disease, accelerating his
lifelong dream of drilling wells in Africa.
Today, his wife Lynda Gehrels leads the organization from
its Thunder Bay headquarters, supported by a small Canadian
staff and a network of locally led drilling crews.
“It’s only because of the generosity of our donors—including individuals, corporations, churches and foundations—that
we’re able this year to celebrate our 30th anniversary,” says
Lynda Gehrels, Lifewater Canada’s president. “Lifewater has
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always been focused on empowering people to provide water
for themselves, and that includes empowering women. Our
drilling and repair teams now have several female members,
and we intend to train and equip more.”
Lifewater’s success is rooted in its locally driven model.
Field teams are trained and equipped by the charity and paid
only after submitting detailed documentation, including GPS
data, technical details, photos and community confirmation.
The approach has earned Lifewater a Top 10 Charity ranking
from Charity Intelligence for six consecutive years.
Custom-built, truck-mounted drilling rigs are expanding
the reach of these teams. “This new rig is amazing and goes
anywhere that we need it to go without a problem,” says Hosea
Apeh, leader of Lifewater’s drilling and repair team in Nigeria.
What began as one man’s mission to drill a single well in
Liberia has grown into a global initiative—and a lasting Canadian story of compassion, innovation and impact.
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
Lifewater Canada
Lifewater Canada marks 30 years of delivering safe drinking water worldwide
