From Murrieta to Tanzania: How Kids Brought Clean Water to an Entire Village

Ashland Watson
Aug 8
4 min read

What started as a sunny Saturday in Old Town Murrieta has now changed life for an entire community across the globe. Last month, local kids, families, and friends came together for Mosaic’s Kids Walk for Water, carrying blue water containers and walking in solidarity with children in rural Africa who make that journey every day.

Their steps raised $3,490, enough to bring clean, safe drinking water to 3,490 people for an entire year. And this past weekend, those steps turned into something tangible, lasting, and deeply personal for the people of Ogutu Village in northern Tanzania.

The Filters Made It Home

Mosaic’s Tanzania leader, Francis Njogu, traveled with his team to Ogutu Village to deliver 50 water filters, one for each family in the village. For a community that has lived for generations without safe drinking water, this was no small moment. See Francis' video from that day below.

Until now, the only water available was dirty. Families drank it every day because they had no other option. Some walked over an hour to buy cleaner water from a shopping center, paying 1,000 shillings (about $0.40 USD) for 20 liters, a price many could not afford.

Francis described the moment that captured the reality of the village’s struggle:

“I asked, ‘How many of you have had stomach problems from the water?’ There was a low murmur, and then some soft laughter. I paused and asked, ‘What’s funny?’They said, ‘What are you talking about? Sickness is part of our everyday life.’”

It was a heartbreaking reminder of why clean water is more than convenience... it’s life.

A Moment of Perspective

In the U.S., we turn on a tap without a second thought. We fill water bottles, run ice makers, and let the shower warm up without wondering if the water is safe. We wash fruits and vegetables, brew coffee, and make pasta without once worrying about the source.

In this village in Tanzania, water has been a gamble every single day, a gamble that often costs health, productivity, and, in some cases, lives.

The idea that “sickness is part of everyday life” would be unthinkable to most of us, but in Ogutu, it has been a normal rhythm for generations. Diarrheal illness, stomach pain, and missed school days for children weren’t occasional inconveniences, they were woven into daily life.

This delivery of 50 filters wasn’t just a project milestone, it was a rewriting of what “normal” can look like for an entire village.

Living Water and Lasting Hope

As we read about clean water flowing in Ogutu, we’re reminded of the words of Jesus:

“Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” – John 4:14 (NIV)

While these ceramic filters meet a deep physical need, our prayer is that they also open the door for living water, hope, healing, and the Good News of Jesus, to flow into hearts. Clean water can transform health. Living water transforms eternity. In Ogutu Village, both kinds of water are now within reach.

More Than a Distribution

Before handing out the filters, Francis shared a message of hope and encouragement. Partners from W/W followed with practical training on how to use the filters correctly, ensuring they’ll last for years.

One local leader, Elisha (featured in the above video) took Francis to see the water source. On the way, Elisha asked quietly,

“Can you be our advocate? Can you tell someone what it’s like here? Can anyone help us?”

Elisha went on to share that a previous plan to drill a well had mysteriously fallen through. No one knows why. But in that moment, with 50 filters now in the hands of every family, the first step toward lasting change had been taken.

“This was more than a distribution,” Francis reflected. “It was a step toward better health, stronger families, and renewed hope.”

Powered by Kids with a Vision

And can you guess where the funding for this came from? The funding came from kids!

Through the Kids Walk for Water, young people in Murrieta discovered that their compassion could ripple across oceans to Tanzania. By walking with purpose and raising funds, they became advocates for children they’ve never met, and transformed an entire village’s future.

Mike Westaway, the Mosaic Ambassador who organized the event, said it best:

“My goal was to show kids they can make a difference. By becoming like Jesus and showing kindness, compassion, and empathy to those in need, they can truly make a difference. Kids raised $3,490… kids did that!”

Their steps didn’t just raise money, they brought dignity, health, and hope to families in Ogutu Village.

A New Chapter for Ogutu

Now... children in Ogutu will be able to drink clean water. Mothers will spend less time caring for sick children. Families will save money that they once spent on buying or boiling water. And the community as a whole will be healthier and stronger.

The blue water cans carried through Murrieta streets last month were a symbol... but now, halfway around the world, real buckets in Ogutu Village are being filled with safe, clean water for the first time.

Keep the Ripple Going

The Kids Walk for Water proves that no one is too young to make an impact. From a neighborhood walk to a village in Tanzania, the ripple effect is real. And while Ogutu Village now has clean water, there are still many more communities waiting for their first sip of safe water.

When you give to Mosaic International, whether through a one-time gift or monthly support, you help bring lasting change to places where it’s needed most. Learn more here.

Because clean water isn’t just about hydration, it’s about health. It’s about dignity. It’s about hope.

From Murrieta to Tanzania… hope is flowing.