Splashing Joy: Bringing Clean Water to Kano’s rural areas

Every time we drive out of the hustle and bustle of Kano city and head into its drier outskirts, there's a quiet sense of anticipation in the car. The roads get dustier, the sand stretches further and the sun becomes a little more intense—but we know something rewarding awaits.

Arriving in a village where a new borehole—made possible by the kindness of a donor and the efforts of GMF—is about to be commissioned feels nothing short of magical.The moment clean water bursts from the big, round tap for the first time, the transformation is instant. Dry and dusty faces light up. Children squeal and throw water on each other, giggling and dancing in the spray. You can almost feel the joy lift the air.

At Gatan Marayu Charity Foundation (GMF), these are the moments that fill our hearts. Watching a mother smile as she realizes she no longer has to walk for miles to fetch water, or seeing a child taste fresh, running water in abundance—this is what keeps us going.

The boreholes we install don’t just bring water—they bring relief, health and hope. What was once a daily struggle becomes a source of happiness and ease. And even though we’re there to serve, we always leave feeling like we’ve received the greatest gift of all: the pure, uncomplicated joy of a community being seen, supported and cared for.

To all our generous donors—we wish you could be there with us to see it, to feel what we feel. Your kindness flows through every drop of water, every smile, every splash.

May your prayers be accepted and may the souls of your loved ones—honored through this borehole—find peace, rest and tranquility.

Thank you for helping us quench thirst and transform lives, one borehole at a time.