For many communities across Pohnpei, access to clean and reliable water has long been uncertain. Families have depended on rainwater collection systems, small mountain-fed pipes, streams, and other limited sources that can become unreliable during dry periods. In some areas, families walk significant distances to collect water, while others face interruptions that affect cooking, washing, sanitation, and other daily needs. In 2025, through a partnership between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Kipper Foundation, new water wells are helping provide a dependable source of water for communities across the island.
The project represents more than the installation of wells. It is a collaborative effort involving local leaders, community members, and partner organizations working together to address one of the most basic needs of families. Community leaders helped identify areas where water insecurity created significant hardships, ensuring resources were directed to locations where they could have the greatest impact.
In one hillside community near Kolonia, families relied on a small pipe fed by runoff water from the mountains. According to project leader Benjamin Lore, just a day and a half without rain could leave households without water. For families with young children, the consequences affected nearly every aspect of daily life. Reflecting on the purpose of the project, he wrote, “The well we're drilling isn't just a project, it's hope. It's the future. It's the possibility of a better life.”
- Children in Pohnpei help assemble piping components during the construction of a community water well.
- Team members work together to guide drilling equipment.
- Members of the Kipper Foundation drilling team work to establish a new community water well in Pohnpei.
- Members of the Kipper Foundation, Elder Craig Brooksby, and a community member working at a water well project site in Pohnpei.
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Throughout the project, local residents became active participants rather than simply recipients. Community members helped prepare sites, transport equipment, and support drilling crews. Children gathered to observe the work and learn about the process, while families welcomed volunteers and workers with meals and hospitality. The cooperation demonstrated the strong spirit of service and unity that exists throughout Pohnpei's communities.
That spirit of partnership was central to the project's success. Brett Child, Guam and Micronesia Humanitarian Manager for the Church, emphasized the importance of ensuring access to one of life's most essential resources.
“Water is one of our most basic necessities, and every individual should have access to a safe and reliable source of clean water. We are grateful to work alongside community leaders, local residents, and the Kipper Foundation to help strengthen communities across Pohnpei. These wells represent more than infrastructure. They provide health, security, self-reliance, and hope for families today and for generations to come.”
When several wells were completed and tested, community members gathered to witness the results. What began as a drilling project quickly became a celebration of increased opportunity and security. Clean water flowing from newly completed wells meant families would spend less time searching for water and more time focused on education, employment, farming, and caring for loved ones.
“This is more than water. It is security. It is health. It is hope,” wrote Benjamin Lore.
- Community members place their handprints around the base of a newly completed well in Pohnpei, leaving a permanent reminder of the partnership, service, and hope that made the project possible.
- Steve Herman demonstrates the operation of a newly completed community well in Madolenihmw, Pohnpei.
- Rock Hebel, a community member, tests water flow from a newly installed pipe connected to a water well in Wone, Pohnpei.
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
The impact of the project extends across communities in Nahs Kolonia, Sapwalap, Madolenihmw, Eirike, Wone, and other areas of Pohnpei that have faced different but equally challenging water needs. Some villages relied on aging water systems that frequently clogged or broke down, while others depended on streams, rainwater collection, or long walks to distant water sources. For many families, access to reliable wells means less time spent gathering water, improved sanitation and health, and greater opportunities to focus on education, employment, farming, and family life.
Community leaders have also emphasized the long-term benefits of dependable water access. Reliable water sources can support household gardens, strengthen food security, improve hygiene practices, and create healthier environments for children. Equally important, they help communities become more resilient during periods when traditional water sources are unavailable.
Perhaps the greatest outcome has been the sense of hope generated through the partnership. Residents, community leaders, and project teams worked together toward a shared goal, forming relationships that strengthened communities along the way. As completed wells began serving families, gratitude and optimism spread throughout the communities they serve. The project demonstrates how collaboration between local communities, nonprofit partners, and faith-based organizations can create lasting change that extends far beyond physical infrastructure.
Reflecting on the significance of the effort, Benjamin Lore wrote:
“For this community, the well is not just a hole in the ground. It is freedom from uncertainty. It is relief from daily hardship. It is the promise of a brighter future.”