FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

About Us

• What is Drop in the Bucket?

  Drop in the Bucket is a Los Angeles based non-profit organization with field offices in Uganda and South Sudan. We build wells and sanitation systems at large rural schools in sub-Saharan Africa. Drop In The Bucket believes clean water is a basic human right that must be met in order to help people break the cycle of poverty.

• What is the goal of Drop in the Bucket?

  Drop in the Bucket’s goal is to provide schools and communities with tools they need to improve child health, increase school enrollment rates, and promote gender equality, which are all key to helping communities move themselves out of poverty.

• Who specifically does Drop in the Bucket aid?

  We have worked in hundreds of villages in East Africa building wells and sanitation systems at schools as well as facilitating programs that promote health, sanitation and community involvement in maintaining the wells.

• Is Drop in the Bucket affiliated with any political or religious organizations?

  No, Drop in the Bucket does not have any affiliations with any political or religious organizations and has no political or religious agenda of any kind. We exist purely as a humanitarian aid group working in water, sanitation, education, gender equality and community development.

• Who is the creator of Drop in the Bucket?

  Drop in the Bucket was formed by a TV producer named Stacey Travis and a group of her friends who, after reading about the deadly world water crisis, decided to do something about it.

• What is the story behind Drop in the Bucket?

  After hearing that two doctors from her home town in Tennessee were going to be traveling to Uganda to set up a medical clinic, Los Angeles based TV producer Stacey Travis asked if she could come along. In 2006, Stacey, along with her husband John and their friend Cassie, traveled to Uganda with the doctors and a group of volunteers. While talking to the doctors before the trip, Stacey realized that the majority of health ailments the communities were dealing with were directly related to the water they were drinking, so the group from Los Angeles decided to ask their friends to help get a well built for one of the villages they were about to visit. After holding a fundraiser at a friend’s house, they raised the money to fund the first two wells. Because donations kept coming in, they kept drilling wells and as of December 2016, DROP has completed over 350 wells across sub-Saharan Africa.

• Why should I care?

  Every year 1.4 million children die from diseases caused by unclean water and poor sanitation. That adds up to 4,000 children dying every day — or one child every 20 seconds. All of these deaths are easily preventable by simply providing clean water and sanitation.

Water Wells

• How deep are your wells?

  Drop in the Bucket drills a type of well known as a borehole. Unlike shallow, hand-dug wells, boreholes are drilled deep into the ground until they reach an underground water source called an aquifer.

  In northern Uganda, where most of our drilling takes place, groundwater is typically found between 40 and 70 meters (130–230 feet) below the surface. Most of our wells are drilled to a final depth of 50 to 80 meters (165–260 feet).

  We don’t stop drilling as soon as we reach water. Instead, we continue deeper into the aquifer to create a more reliable water source. This helps ensure the well continues to produce clean water even when groundwater levels drop during extended dry seasons or periods of drought.

• How long does a well last?

  A properly drilled borehole can provide water indefinitely, as long as the underground aquifer continues to produce water. In other words, the well itself is designed to last for generations.

  The hand pump installed on the well, however, is a mechanical device that will eventually require maintenance and replacement. The India Mk II hand pumps used by Drop in the Bucket typically last 7 to 10 years, depending on how heavily they are used and the mineral content of the groundwater.

  Some components wear out sooner than others. For example, traditional galvanized iron riser pipes can last for many years in some locations, but in areas with highly corrosive groundwater they may begin to rust in less than two years.

  To address this problem, Drop in the Bucket now exclusively installs stainless steel riser pipes. Although they cost more initially, stainless steel pipes do not rust and have a significantly longer service life, reducing maintenance costs and increasing the long-term reliability of the well.

  Infrastructure is only part of the solution. Every community also elects a Water User Committee, and Drop in the Bucket trains local members to carry out routine maintenance, recognize problems early, and organize repairs when needed.

  Our goal isn’t simply to drill wells—it is to build water systems that continue serving communities for decades. By combining high-quality construction materials, durable equipment, and local training, we help ensure that the wells we build remain reliable sources of clean water for future generations.

• Why do wells fail?

  A properly sited and professionally drilled borehole rarely fails. Once a well reaches a productive aquifer, it can provide water for generations. What does require maintenance over time is the hand pump.

  A hand pump is a mechanical device that is often used hundreds of times each day. Like any piece of machinery, its moving parts eventually wear out and need to be repaired or replaced. Rather than asking if a pump will require maintenance, the better question is whether the community has the tools and resources to keep it working.

  There are three essential requirements for a sustainable water system:

  Trained pump mechanics who can diagnose and repair problems.

  Access to replacement parts when components wear out.

  A source of funding to pay for repairs when they are needed.

  Drop in the Bucket addresses all three as part of every water project. We train local pump mechanics, establish community Water User Committees responsible for overseeing each well, and help communities develop a plan for routine maintenance and future repairs. We also install durable equipment, including stainless steel riser pipes, which significantly reduce failures caused by corrosion.

  Our goal is not simply to drill wells—it is to ensure they continue providing clean, reliable water for decades. Sustainable water systems require more than good engineering; they require local ownership, training, and long-term planning.

• How long does drilling take?

  The actual drilling of a borehole is surprisingly fast. Using our PAT Drill drilling rigs and CompAir compressors, Drop in the Bucket can typically drill a 50- to 60-meter (165- to 200-foot) borehole in just 4 to 8 hours of drilling time.

  However, drilling the well is only one small part of the project.

  Before our drilling team ever arrives, we make multiple visits to the community. We begin by assessing the need for a new water source. If a school or community already has reliable access to clean water, we focus our resources elsewhere. We also conduct a hydrogeological survey to determine whether groundwater is available and identify the best location for the borehole.

  Once a site has been approved, our staff works closely with community members to prepare them for the responsibilities that come with owning and maintaining a water system. This includes forming a Water User Committee, training local leaders, and establishing plans for long-term maintenance.

  Our commitment doesn’t end when the drilling rig leaves. We continue to visit the community for approximately two years, providing follow-up support, monitoring the well, and helping ensure the water system remains sustainable.

  Although drilling itself may take only a few hours, every well we build represents months of planning and at least two years of ongoing partnership with the community. That’s one of the reasons our projects continue serving people long after construction is complete.

• What kind of pumps do you use?

  Drop in the Bucket installs several different types of water pumps, depending on the needs of the community, school, and project. We always select the system that will provide the most reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective source of water for each location.

  For most community and school wells, we install India Mk II hand pumps. These are the standard hand pumps approved for use in Uganda and are known for their durability, reliability, and the widespread availability of replacement parts.

  At many primary schools, we pair the hand pump with a roundabout pump that fills an elevated water storage tank. Once the tank is full, gravity distributes water through a piped system to key locations around the school, including toilets, handwashing stations, kitchens, science laboratories, and school gardens. This allows water to be available throughout the campus without students needing to pump it at every location.

  For larger projects with greater water demands, we have also installed solar-powered and diesel-powered pumping systems. These systems can provide larger volumes of water and are often used where piped water distribution or higher daily water consumption is required.

  Every pumping system has its own advantages and limitations. Rather than relying on a single solution, Drop in the Bucket evaluates each site individually and installs the technology that best meets the needs of the community while ensuring the system can be maintained locally for years to come.

• Do you repair broken wells?

  Yes, Drop in the Bucket does repair and rehabilitate broken wells. 

• Who maintains the wells?

  Every water well built by Drop in the Bucket is ultimately owned and managed by the community it serves.

  Once construction has been completed and the well has been tested, a formal handover ceremony is held with community members, local leaders, school representatives, and government officials. During this ceremony, ownership and responsibility for the well are officially transferred to the community.

  Preparing for this handover begins long before the drilling rig arrives. Throughout the project, Drop in the Bucket works with the community to establish a Water User Committee that will oversee the well, organize routine maintenance, and coordinate repairs when needed. Committee members receive training on how to care for the well, recognize potential problems, and ensure that funds are available for future maintenance.

  By combining community ownership with training and ongoing support, we help ensure that every well remains a reliable source of clean water for years to come. Our goal is not simply to build infrastructure—it is to help communities develop the knowledge and capacity to manage it for future generations.

Uganda and South Sudan

• Where does Drop in the Bucket work in Africa?

  Drop in the Bucket currently works in Uganda and South Sudan. We drilled our first well in Uganda in 2006 and have been working there ever since.

  In 2009, we expanded our programs into South Sudan, where we now operate education, women’s health, and Safe Spaces programs alongside our water and sanitation work.

• Does Drop in the Bucket have staff in Africa?

  Yes. We maintain full-time staff in both Uganda and South Sudan, including engineers, hydrogeologists, drill crews, educators, health officers, and project staff. Having experienced local teams allows us to respond quickly, monitor projects, and provide ongoing support long after construction is complete.

• How do you choose which communities receive projects?

  Drop in the Bucket works closely with national ministries, UWASNET, school districts, District Water Officers, and elected local leaders to identify communities with the greatest need.

  Before any project begins, our staff conducts an in-person assessment of the proposed location, including visits to all existing water sources. We evaluate the condition and reliability of those sources, community needs, local government priorities, groundwater availability, and the community’s ability to maintain a new borehole.

  While we primarily focus on drilling wells at schools, we also work in large, water-stressed rural communities where access to safe water is limited. Our goal is to direct our resources where they will have the greatest long-term impact.

• Can donors visit completed projects?

  Yes. While we are not able to offer site visits to every supporter, we are able to host donors who have made a significant contribution to our work. This may include individuals who have funded multiple water projects, Rotary clubs, corporate partners, foundations, and other major supporters.

  Visiting a project is an opportunity to meet the communities we serve, see completed work firsthand, and experience the long-term impact of clean water, sanitation, and education programs.

Donations

• How can I donate?

  You can donate by mail, or online using this link. We accept donations by check, money order, cashier’s checks, PayPal and all major credit cards.

• Where do donations to Drop in the Bucket go?

  Donations go to building wells and sanitation systems at schools in Africa.

• How much of my donation goes directly to the cause?

  We try to keep our overhead expenses to a minimum so that as much of the money raised as possible goes directly to programs on the ground. On average, between 76% and 87% of all money raised goes directly to our projects in Africa.

• How will my donation be spent?

  Your donation will be spent on building wells and sanitation systems as well as facilitating programs that promote health, sanitation and community involvement in maintaining the wells. A minimal percentage may be used to cover operating costs such as printing, web hosting, staff salaries, and transportation in Africa — but this is unavoidable with any organization where the majority of its work happens in the developing world.

• Is my donation tax deductible?

  Yes. Drop in the Bucket is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Our EIN# is 20-5560045.

• How will my personal information be handled?

  Please read our <a href=”/privacy/”>privacy policy</a> for full details on how we handle your information.

• Are donations of products or services acceptable?

  Yes, dependent on what the products are. Please contact us with regard to the goods or services you are interested in donating.

Schools

• How can my school get involved?

  Schools can organize a classroom, club, or school-wide fundraiser to support clean water and education programs in East Africa. Drop in the Bucket can help you choose an idea that fits your students, schedule, and fundraising goals.

• Is there a minimum fundraising goal?

  No. Every amount helps. A school can contribute toward a larger project or set a goal to fund a complete water well. We can help you choose a realistic goal for your school community.

• What types of school fundraisers work best?

  Popular options include Walk for Water events, read-a-thons, Penny Wars, bake sales, birthday fundraisers, school assemblies, student leadership campaigns and any number of sponsored events like dance-a-thons, sponsored runs, swim-a-thons, or even just asking friends and family members to donate to a fundraising campaign. Schools are also encouraged to create their own fundraising ideas.

• What resources and support do you provide?

  We can provide fundraising ideas, planning guidance, photographs, project information, and materials that help students understand the impact of clean water. Our team is also available to answer questions and help schools plan their campaigns.

• How will students know what their fundraiser accomplished?

  We share updates that help students see the impact they helped create. Depending on the project and fundraising level, this may include photographs, project details, GPS coordinates, and information about the school or community that benefited.

Corporate

• How can our company partner with Drop in the Bucket?

  Companies can support our work through project sponsorships, corporate grants, employee fundraising campaigns, matching gifts, workplace giving, or long-term partnerships. We work with each company to create an approach that fits its goals and level of involvement.

• Can our company sponsor a specific water well?

  Yes. Companies can sponsor a complete water well  for a school or community. Sponsors receive project information, photographs, GPS coordinates, and documentation showing where the project was completed and who it serves.

• Do you offer employee fundraising opportunities?

  Yes. We are happy to help companies organize workplace campaigns, team challenges, employee giving programs, and other fundraising activities that bring staff together around a shared goal.

• Can Drop in the Bucket work with our matching-gift program?

  Yes. We can participate in employer matching-gift and workplace giving programs. Companies can match employee donations, create a campaign-specific match, or include Drop in the Bucket in an existing charitable giving platform.

• What reporting do corporate partners receive?

  Reporting depends on the size and type of partnership, but may include project updates, photographs, GPS coordinates, beneficiary information, completion reports, and materials that companies can share with employees or other stakeholders.

• Can we build a long-term partnership with Drop in the Bucket?

  Absolutely. Many of our strongest corporate relationships have grown over several years and multiple projects. We are happy to discuss annual giving, multi-year programs, employee engagement, or a partnership built around a specific area of our work.

Get Involved

• How can I get involved?

  Drop in the Bucket would love to have you get involved with our work. Please click here  to see how you can help.

• Are there volunteer opportunities?

  Yes, you can volunteer by clicking here

• Can I set up a fundraiser?

  Yes, you can start a fundraiser by clicking here.

• Can I sponsor Drop in the Bucket?

  Yes, we would love your help. Please contact us so we can discuss the details.

• Can I accompany Drop in the Bucket on a trip?

  We do get a lot of emails every week from people who want to come with us on a trip. What we do is let you earn the right to come — if you set up a fundraising campaign and raise a significant amount of money, we will bring you along so you can experience our work firsthand. Everyone who comes will be expected to pitch in once you are there.

• How can my school get involved?

  If you are a teacher or work in education, we have fundraising resources you can access here. If you are a student interested in getting your school involved, please click here.

• Where can I get more information about the water crisis?

  You can get more information here.

• Can I sponsor a project in a specific community?

  In most cases, no.

  Drop in the Bucket is a humanitarian organization, not a drilling contractor. Our projects are selected based on need, working closely with government agencies, local leaders, and our field staff.

  Drilling a single, stand-alone well is also considerably more expensive than drilling multiple wells in the same area. To make the best use of donor funds, we typically complete 6 to 10 wells during a single drilling campaign, allowing us to share mobilization, labor, and material costs across multiple projects.

  For these reasons, we are generally unable to drill a one-off well in a specific village simply because someone has a personal connection to the community.

  We also only carry out projects in the countries where we have established operations—currently Uganda and South Sudan. If you are interested in supporting a water project in another country, we recommend contacting an organization that already has staff and infrastructure in that region.

• Can Drop in the Bucket help us fund a water project?

  Unfortunately, the answer is usually no.

  Every week, we receive requests from schools, churches, orphanages, and community organizations across Africa seeking funding for water projects. Many of these requests come from worthwhile organizations doing important work.

  However, Drop in the Bucket already works with communities in Uganda and South Sudan where projects have been carefully identified through our assessment process and are waiting for funding. These communities have often been working with our field staff for months before a project is approved.

  Because our resources are limited, we believe it is our responsibility to honor the commitments we have already made before taking on new projects elsewhere. As a result, we do not provide funding for projects outside of our existing programs or communities.

  If your organization is located in another country, we recommend contacting an organization that already has staff and established operations in your region, as they will be better positioned to provide assistance.