Liberia, a country in West Africa, is home to an estimated 4.98 million people. These men, women, and children suer from a shortage of safe, clean water which has created a health crisis that affects the whole nation. In 2008, young Christians from Washington D.C. were inspired to eliminate water scarcity in Liberia. Led by visionary Founder and President, Dr. Todd Phillips, the group created a charity now known as The Last Well. This African charity is dedicated to providing every community in Liberia with clean water by December 2020 and sharing the Christian message with every community we serve.
Who Are We?
Just over a decade ago, a group of young adults at a church and their pastor, Todd Phillips, came up with an idea that has since changed the global conversation of humanitarian efforts. Inspired by the 2006 film ‘Amazing Grace’ which told the true story of British politician William Wilberforce who led a movement to abolish the slave trade in England, these young adults set out to change history in their own way. The Last Well was created to provide Liberia, West Africa with the gospel and access to safe drinking water.
In 2011, Todd relocated to the Dallas, Texas area and brought the non-profit organization with him. While the water charity was slow-going at first, Todd continued his efforts to raise money and awareness for the cause. In spring of 2013, The Last Well held a fundraiser in Heath, Texas in attempt to raise funds for their mission of bringing clean water to the entire nation of Liberia by the year 2020. As a result, the charity attracted more than 150 potential donors and received more than $3 million in funding and donor commitments. By June of 2013, Todd was asked to oversee the organization’s operations on a full-time basis.
Why Liberia?
After searching for places in the world where the greatest help was needed, the group found Liberia. After experiencing a fourteen-year civil war from 1990 to 2003, Liberia’s infrastructure was destroyed. Liberia continues to be one of the poorest countries in the world resulting in children, women, and men suffering every day from a lack of safe drinking water. The Last Well believes that they can remedy the problem of water scarcity in Liberia and help the over 2.5 million Liberians acquire the clean water they need to live and flourish.
What Are Our Goals?
The mission of The Last Well is clear and consistent. The water for Liberia ministry aims to provide access to safe drinking water throughout the nation of Liberia, and to offer the gospel to every community served. The organization has a goal to complete their work by December 2020. The Last Well has partnered with some of the best organizations in Liberia to serve the fifteen counties of Liberia. So far, The Last Well has reached more than 2 million Liberians through over 8,000 safe-drinking water projects.
Once completed, the water for Africa project will be the first of its kind to reach an entire nation border-to-border. The project, which goes into urban and rural areas of a developing country, border to border, provides all Liberians with a year-round source of clean water within a 15-minute walking distance of their home. In history, there has yet to be a developing country that has access to clean drinking water for everyone. The Last Well aims to change these statistics.
How to Get Involved
It has been more than ten years since the devastating civil war in Liberia and still many Liberians lack access to safe, clean drinking water. As one of the world’s poorest countries, Liberia needs assistance to eliminate their water crisis. Your involvement in the water charity can help transform the lives of millions of Liberians by preventing water-related illnesses and death.
There are many ways you can get involved with The Last Well. Launch a fundraiser with your friends or give up gifts on your birthday and ask for donations instead. You can also donate directly or share our mission through social media.
Learn More About The Last Well
Water is a fundamental human need required for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. Unfortunately, clean water is a rarity in many parts of the world. Polluted water is not just dirty, but it can actually be dangerous and even deadly. In poor countries like Liberia, countless people die each year from diseases that stem from unclean water, such as cholera. The main goal of The Last Well charity is to change this and share the good news of Jesus. For more information about this charity or to get involved, contact The Last Well today.
