Q: Shouldn't countries solve their own problems? Aren't there enough problems in America that we should focus on?
A: My answer to that is yes and no. I think we can all agree that America has plenty of issues that need to be addressed from homelessness, drug addiction, to mental health and more. However, I think it's also fair t
o say that in comparison with many other countries in the world, we are a wealthy nation with a stable government that does a pretty good job providing for its citizens' basic needs. That's certainly not the case in many other places!
One aspect of Water at Work that I think is unique and important is that we ARE in fact Dominican-led. From the beginning, we didn't want Americans at the forefront of the ministry. That's why in 2014 we established a Dominican NGO called Fundación Water Work that is led by five talented Dominicans. They select sites, oversee construction, equipment purchasing, staff training, water quality testing, and community development. In short, they run all operations and are involved with all major decisions. They understand the cultural nuances and complexities in working within their own country that we simply cannot. Of course, each individual water plant is also operated by locals!
There's no doubt that our American-side of the ministry is equally important, because without donors like you, Water at Work couldn'
t continue to provide clean, safe water to people in need.
Sadly, only 7% of Americans' charitable giving goes overseas where it's often needed to solve the most urgent problems. If you're reading this, I thank you for being in that special minority. Truly, by giving globally your dollars go further both literally and figuratively!
God calls us to love all of our neighbors -- and I think that means the ones both near and far!
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