The Well Project in Africa, run by the Universal Church, provides free drinking water to more than 5,800 people every month.

Residents from the Kibera community, situated on the outskirts of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, and members of the Maasai tribe in the southern region of the country, receive clean water through artesian wells constructed by the Universal Church.

Together, the three wells provide around 174,000 litres of drinking water every month. This water is essential for hydration, cooking and caring for livestock. It also supports communities affected by drought and poor sanitation, which can pose serious risks in public health.

Currently, only about 29% of Kenya’s population has access to basic drinking water and sewage services, meaning nearly 10 million people continue to rely on contaminated water sources.

In 2023, the Universal Church opened a well in Kibera, one of the poorest communities in Africa. Since then, the well has provided around 48,000 litres of water per month, helping at least 1,400 people living in extremely challenging housing and infrastructure conditions.

For the Maasai tribe, which has preserved its traditions for more than 500 years, the Well Project reached the village of Kajiado in 2015. The village is located about three and a half hours by car from Nairobi.

Because the underground water in that region is salty, the Church uses a purification and filtration system before the water reaches the community. This well provides 36,000 litres of drinking water per month and helps 1,600 residents, regardless of whether or not they attend the Universal Church. Some villagers walk up to 20 kilometres to collect water from the site.

In 2019, the Universal Church built another well for the Maasai tribe in the village of Mossiro, 130 kilometres from Nairobi. The well is nearly 300 metres deep and is connected to a water tank. It supplies an average of 90,000 litres of water per month to 2,800 people. Through this project, the local community received something it had never experienced before: regular access to free, clean drinking water.

Bishop Marcelo Pires, who oversees the work of the Universal Church in Africa, stated, “The most important thing is not only what has been accomplished, but the intention behind it: to help those in need with water for drinking, cooking, and for their animals, all free of charge.”

Universal Church humanitarian work helps millions across Africa

In 2025 alone, the Universal Church assisted over three million people in 39 African countries, collecting 420 tonnes of food for those in need. They also donated 160,000 food parcels and served 412,000 meals during that year.

In Uganda, 1,924 students graduated from vocational courses offered by the Universal Youth Force in 2025.

Speaking about the impact in Kenya, Bishop Marcelo added:

“In Kenya, where the wells are located, this help is very significant. Normally, no one helps anyone without expecting something in return; everything has a price. Therefore, when someone offers water free of charge, people wonder: ‘Why?’ When hearts are touched, faith awakens,” Bishop Marcelo Pires concluded.