[FIRST WATER PUMP COMPLETED❤️]

Hi, my name is Max. I am currently in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India.

This project is to build 5 water pumps in the village of Paraiya, Bihar, India. This is a village of 200 families, in one of India’s poorest states.

My friends Sikandar and Vicky manage their own charitable organization to help poor village people in rural areas around Bodhgaya. Over the last 12 years, Sikandar and Vicky have been doing volunteer work to help bring food, water and shelter to these poor villages.

They mainly get water pumps built, but also deliver food, and build monsoon resistant roofs, and offer education. They are also teachers in two schools.

This particular project is for a village called Paraiya, situated 28km from Bodhgaya, with a population of around 800 people, 200 families. These people have been in dire water insufficiency for many years now. They depend on the river water, which is not only dirty, but only comes during monsoon season. At the moment they depend solely on one water pump, and have to walk to neighboring villages to use their water.

I have been to Paraiya, met the villagers, and seen that the construction of the first water pump is underway.

The construction of the other five water pumps can only go through if sufficient funding is provided. The cost of one water pump is of approximately 45,000 INR, depending on the depth of the ditch to access the water.

As a westerner, although I have always been aware of this reality, I was never so directly exposed to it. Speaking to these people was a life changing experience. Elderly women and children coming up to me begging for help to build these water pumps. In the west, people worry and complain about tiny insignificant things.

For these people, this is a question of life and death, and an end to this terrible suffering. It is a question of hope.

A thought many of you may have is why are Sikandar and Vicky not registered as an NGO. The reason is simple. To be registered as an NGO, Vicky and Sikandar would have to pay the government 30,000 INR, plus the fees of the legal process, plus the need and cost of hiring employees. They would rather do the work directly themselves, rather than having to go through all the complicated bureaucracy.

The water pumps that Vicky and Sikandar build have a lifespan of 10 years. They have built 15 water pumps in various villages so far.

Although I have only met Vicky and Sikandar recently, I have seen the extent of their selflessness, and drive to serve others, especially those in need.

This is in accordance with their practice of Buddhism, and the general altruism and humility with which they lead their lives.

I have been truly inspired by them to become a better person, realizing the self-centered, western attributes within myself.

Following the Indian concept of karma, whatever you give comes back to you manifold.

These people are in desperate need of this water, especially now, in anticipation of the dry summer, when temperatures reach 50 degrees Celsius.

Whatever you give to this cause, no matter how little, will make a huge difference in the lives of these 200 families. Donors will receive updates on the course of construction of the water pumps, from start to finish, with images and videos.

One love ☮️❤️