A Song for Safe Water
Young musicians take the stage to bring clean water in Africa
14-year-old Hugh and his younger brother, 13-year-old Liam, are committed to the cause of clean water—they’re also talented musicians. Hugh and Liam’s family has been partnering with Cross International for a number of years to reach those in need around the world. That’s how Hugh and Liam discovered the dire need for clean water in Africa, and the Chipata district of Zambia in particular. In this region, 76-percent of households lack access to clean, safe water. The consequences for this lack of water can be heartbreaking.
Unsafe water can cause chronic sickness, diarrhea, and even death. Not having easy access to the water they need for drinking, washing, cooking, and cleaning can also lead to back-breaking work for women and children especially. All too often children are forced to miss school in order to make the long and treacherous journey to a distant water source to retrieve heavy buckets of water for their families.
Hugh and Liam want to change this sad reality by bringing clean water in Zambia.


Raising Money for Clean Water
After learning about the clean water problems in Africa, Hugh and Liam’s hearts were moved to help. They decided to use their musical talents to raise money to build a well in Zambia. The brothers began taking their guitars to local restaurants and coffee shops and using their music to spread awareness for the plight of Zambians and encourage donations towards building a well. Check out their donation page

Building Wells in Zambia
Cross International is in the midst of a three-year initiative with the Kachere Development Program (KDP), our long-time partner in Zambia, to construct wells in the Chipata district. One well can provide water for 600 people. The goal of the initiative is to build hand-pump wells in 14 communities across the region. Some of these wells have already been constructed bringing the blessing of clean water to villages that were in desperate need. “I used to suffer a lot by covering a long distance with a bucket of water on my head,” said Naomi, a well beneficiary. “With the new well in my village, I have time to rest, I can attend church services and other social activities in the village. My children are able to go to school and attend classes regularly. May God bless Cross International!”
Hugh and Liam want to make Naomi’s story a reality for more people desperate for clean water. “That’s what we want to do,” they said, “to use our love of music to provide clean water to a village in Zambia.”
Medical Care in Africa: A Young Man Finds Hope on His Way to Healing
In Need of Medical Care in Malawi
Pemphero was born with a bowed right leg, which makes it very difficult for him to walk. Growing up with a disability in Africa was very difficult for Pemphero. His parents didn’t know how to care for their disabled child and he was treated as an outcast. Pemphero suffered tremendous loneliness until his sister got married and she and her new husband invited him to come live with them. He was delighted that they were willing to care for him.

Blessings, Pemphero’s brother-in-law, said, “I saw the need to educate him and find him treatment because nothing was being done.” Sadly, this is often the case with those who need medical care in remote and impoverished areas of Africa. Patients suffering with treatable conditions often have no access to, or cannot afford, the care they need.
One day Blessings heard a radio commercial for Cross International partner CURE. “God spoke to us in a loud way,” Blessings exclaimed.
Hope for Healing in Africa

Cross International supporters like you made it possible for doctors at the CURE clinic to evaluate Pemphero. It was decided that his leg could be corrected by placing it in a frame. Pemphero was nervous, but excited at the possibility of finding healing.
He was also encouraged at meeting other children with disabilities just like him!
Pemphero loves the CURE hospital, but he does not enjoy the frame turns. “It’s painful, but I know tomorrow will be better,” Pemphero said.
Healing on the Horizon

Thanks to Cross International’s faithful friends, Pemphero was able to spend four months in the CURE hospital before finally being sent home with his leg frame. When the time comes he’ll return to the hospital to have the frame removed. Please keep Pemphero in your prayers as he continues his journey towards healing!
Clean Water and a Small Business in Africa
Shallow Wells and Waterborne Disease
Ireen is a young mom who lives in western Zambia with her pre-school age daughter. Her only source of income is farming. Though she dreamed of starting her own small business in Africa, and building a better life for the two of them, Ireen had something holding her back—lack of clean water. Every day, Ireen spent lots of time walking long distances to retrieve water from shallow wells. Making matters worse, the water was unclean and, in combination with lack of proper sanitation and hygiene, caused Ireen and her daughter to suffer with waterborne diseases. Struggling with sickness and laboring long hours to retrieve water, Ireen was only able to provide one meal a day for herself and her daughter.
Escaping Poverty in Africa
Despite her difficult situation, Ireen was determined to break free from the cycle of poverty in Africa. Dreaming of starting her own business, she reached out to Cross International’s partner in Zambia, the Kachere Development Program (KDP). She learned that KDP was running a self-help group for women in her area to help them become small business entrepreneurs. Ireen joined the group, but her struggles with clean water made it difficult to attend the meetings regularly.
Thanks to Cross International supporters, KDP staff saw Ireen’s troubles and knew how to help her escape poverty in Africa. A local water, sanitation, and hygiene committee was formed and Ireen was named its secretary. A new community well was soon under construction along with efforts to improve hygiene and sanitation in the community.

Clean Water Brings Hope
Since the well was completed, Ireen’s life has greatly improved. With access to clean, safe water, and knowledge of proper hygiene and sanitation, Ireen and her daughter’s health has improved. And, instead of spending time fetching water, Ireen is able to work on starting her own business. Just six months later, Ireen was finally able to provide three meals per day for her family.
Ireen is also growing in her faith and attending church and Bible study. She is so grateful for the help she’s received!
Thank you for blessing Ireen, and so many others, through your support of Cross International. Your generosity truly has the power to transform lives.
If you want to help other women like Ireen, and support the construction of water wells, hygiene education, community transformation initiatives in African communities, and to work towards breaking the cycle of poverty, please visit this page.
A Chance to Go to School in Africa
Education Problems in Africa
At 12 years old, Ayana dreamed of completing her education in Malawi, Africa. Sadly, when her parents divorced, Ayana’s mother was no longer able to pay her school fees. The family was struggling so badly that they would go from relative to relative in search of food and shelter. The inability to pay school fees is one of the most common education problems in Africa. This financial barrier often prevents children from impoverished families like Ayana’s from receiving a quality education. This cycle can keep families in poverty for generations.
Helping Children Go to School in Africa

Through the generous support of friends like you, Cross International is partnering with organizations in Africa that are reaching out to poor families like Ayana’s. In Malawi, that partner is the Ambuya Development Center (ADC). Ayana’s mother reached out and, thanks to supporters like you, Ayana was able to enroll in ADC’s program. Her dream of continuing her education is now coming true!
Returning to the African Classroom
With support for her school fees, Ayana is now able to stay in school. Not only that, she gets to enjoy a hot lunch every day! She enjoys the ADC program, playing with the other children, and making friends. She’s also learning all about the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Now that her dream of an education in Africa is coming true, Ayana now has a new dream—to become a doctor so that she can help the sick.
Thank you for blessing children like Ayana with the quality education that can help lift them, and their families, out of poverty. Your support of Cross International has made it possible for Ayana to pursue her dreams. Thank you for giving her hope!

If you want to help more vulnerable children like Ayana stay in school and open the door to escape poverty, please visit our Thriving Kids page and support this cause.
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