A regular well is a water system that pumps water from the underground water table. The regular wells uses a motorized engine which runs off of gasoline. The motor pumps water through large water hoses that people use to fill up jerry cans with to water consumption.

A solar well has a very similar setup however instead of running on a gasoline motor engine, it uses the power of the sun to power the engine. This a far more environmentally friendly solution and more sustainable.

For both types of wells they all have pipelines that irrigate nearby farmland to ensure farmers in the area can grow crops to help families survive during the ongoing conflict. This way, IDRF for our Yemen food programs, we purchase food from these farmers and provide them to vulnerable families. Therefore, your water donation does not just support a people with clean water it helps provide food as well. Finally the water wells are managed and owned by the local community to ensure we take a localized approach to our zakat efforts.

They are as big enough to provide water and irrigation to 1000 families and a few acres of nearby farmland.

It takes a few weeks to build. We ensure we do a site assessment first. To ensure families will not flee the area and to ensure it is safe. Once we do so, we procure the supplies and equipment and begin building the deep water wells.

For elders and young people, there are community focal persons that help coordinate the distribution of water. So jerry cans and large water tanks are filled for those who cannot come to the wells to collect the water themselves.

No. Once the well is built, our partners in Yemen will periodically check-in on the wells, and ensure that things are running smoothly.
Since the well now belongs to the community, a majority of the maintenance comes from the community themselves – they take the responsibility to maintain it, without external resources.