India has found itself in an alarming state of water crisis. Severe water shortage and water pollution turns out to be the most frequently returned results if you search for the keyword “India” on Google.

Do you know? That for every five children in the world, there is one suffering from water shortage for basic daily needs and children in more than 80 nations live in highly vulnerable areas in terms of water supply. This means these communities have to rely on unprocessed surface water or water sources that take an up-to-thirty-minute walk of fetching.

In the true story of the boy Salva in “A Long Walk to Water”, despite the barbarity of war, oppression and refuge… the brave heart of Salva is still unwaveringly set on a future return to this land in its service. He believes in the day fresh water can reach South Sudan and all other sterile regions across the country. The book “A Long Walk to Water” and the project of water supply for arid regions have kindled the compassion inside many readers.

Thanks to that, the desire to bring fresh water to banish the thirst and burden of Indian people gave birth to the Well ATM Project by Thai Ha Books and other benefactors.

On February 13^th (in Viet Nam time zone), the arrival of fresh water was greeted by residents filled with sheer felicity. Handclaps and happy yelling could make the heart of any one capturing this spectacular scene with their eyes swell with emotion. From now on, there is no more need for locals in this poor neighborhood to travel a long way in seek of scarce water sources, which come home in jugs on their heads. Water is already here, happiness here – another village in Bodhgaya. 

Along with Bookshelf ATM, White Cane ATM in Viet Nam, Well ATM program in India has now completed the 3^rd well’s construction for the poor in the Buddhist land. Hopefully, in the future, with the help of “Vietnamese friends”, Well ATMs will rise more and more to bring water to everyone and everywhere. May welfare spread to many other villages in Bodhgaya!