Walk for Water 2026: How Temecula's Community Walk Brought Clean Water to Africa

On March 22, 2026, Mosaic hosted its World Water Walk in Temecula, California. And though the event looked different than expected, the generosity didn't disappoint — people from near and far gave on behalf of families who have no other option but to walk for water every single day.

By the end of the day, the community had raised $5,690 — 113% of the $5,000 goal.

Five weeks later, that money arrived in Londoto Village, Tanzania, in the form of 41 ceramic water filters. And the moment the community tasted clean water for the first time — Francis Njogu, Mosaic's Tanzania partner, described it simply:

"The joy of a sip of clean, clear safe water."

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What did the 2026 Walk for Water fund?

Every dollar raised through the Walk for Water goes toward ceramic water filters distributed in Tanzania. These filters use a simple but proven process: pour in dirty river water, and clean water comes out the other side — no electricity, no chemicals, no ongoing cost.

In Londoto Village, the community depends on a nearby river for all of its water. The water is consistently brown. During rainy season, it's worse.

Families use donkeys to haul it in containers. Stomach illness is so common that — as Francis reported — residents had come to accept it as just a fact of life.

On a visit just before the rains stopped long enough to make the roads passable, a village leader noted that the water that day was cleaner than most days. That's what the baseline looked like.

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What happened when the filters arrived in Londoto?

Francis Njogu and his team drove to Londoto on April 29, 2026. The roads had been impassable for weeks due to heavy rains. Francis wrote to the Mosaic team:

"God made it happen as the roads have been impassable due to heavy rains! At least now the rains have somehow stopped."

When they arrived, someone quickly brought out a container of water from the river — the same water these families use every day. Francis poured it into the filter. The community watched. Then came the moment to taste it.

They all insisted Francis should drink first.

He did. And then the glass was passed. A Maasai elder in traditional dress stepped forward. Women who had been watching from their seats wanted to try too. One by one, people tasted water that had started brown and come out clear.

"The joy of a sip of clean, clear safe water." — Francis Njogu

What Francis noted most about Londoto was the community's curiosity. They asked thoughtful questions. They wanted to understand how it worked. They saw the value. This wasn't just receiving help — it was a community ready to embrace change.

RESULTS FROM THE APRIL 2026 OUTREACH

• 40 filters distributed to households in Londoto Village

• 2 filters donated to the local preschool

• Multiple families with immediate access to safe, clean drinking water

• A community equipped with knowledge of how the filters work and why

The preschool detail deserves a moment. Before the filters arrived, the school's method for handling dirty water was to let the sediment settle, then scoop from the top. As a community member told Francis:

"When you are thirsty, you drink what is available. More so, kids won't wait for the water to settle when thirsty."

Those children now have clean water waiting for them.

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How did the Walk for Water start — and how has it grown?

2024 — Year One A founder's challenge starts a movement

Mosaic founder Mark Sherman walked a full marathon — 26.2 miles — for World Water Day. Others joined with their own step challenges, and a group of about 20 walked together. Together they raised $3,430, which funded ceramic water filters for a Maasai village in Tanzania, manufactured and distributed locally in June 2024.

2025 — Year Two The community walk takes shape in Temecula

The Walk for Water moved into the wider Temecula community, partnering with WSDM Water. Families, kids, and church communities joined together. The event raised $6,164 — enough to provide more than 6,000 people with access to clean water for a year through ceramic filter distribution.

2026 — Year Three Mike Westaway brings it home

For the first time, Ambassador Mike Westaway took the lead on this annual event — organizing and planning the World Water Walk campaign from the ground up. The $5,000 goal was surpassed on the day itself. Weeks later, those funds reached Londoto Village in Tanzania, where a community tasted clean water for the first time and couldn't believe what they were seeing.

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Meet the Ambassador Behind the Walk

Mike Westaway knows firsthand what it looks like when a community shows up for something bigger than themselves.

As a Mosaic Ambassador, airline pilot, and father of three in Murrieta, California, Mike has organized two kids-focused fundraising events — the Kids Walk for Water and Play and Pray — that have brought clean water to communities in Tanzania and playground equipment to children in the Philippines.

He didn't set out to be a missions mobilizer. He just wanted to show his kids they could make a difference. Turns out, a lot of other kids wanted to too.

https://youtu.be/vepP_OLwNjo?si=oZDwifF4OOI4toL9

Want to read Mike's full story? [Read his Ambassador Spotlight →]

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https://youtu.be/0Gq08TmhdlM?si=02InR_q326iwJIVg

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Be Part of What Comes Next

The Walk for Water happens every year because the need doesn't stop. Communities like Londoto are one outreach visit away from access to something most of us take for granted. Your steps — and your dollars — close that gap.

Become a Mosaic Ambassador → Ambassadors like Mike Westaway are the reason this event exists. They organize, fundraise, and bring their communities into the mission. If you feel called to do more than walk, we'd love to have you.

Become an Ambassador

Join The Circle — Monthly Giving → Consistent monthly gifts are what make sustained outreach possible. It's how Mosaic plans the next trip to Londoto, and the village after that.

Join The Circle