Give a well in a loved one's name: the gift that changes lives

Some gestures say more than words ever could. Giving a well in someone's name turns a memory into flowing water, every single day, for hundreds of people. Whether you want to honour a parent who has passed away, celebrate a birth or mark a birthday, here is how it works in practice.

Why give a well rather than another gift?

A material gift wears out, gets put away, gets forgotten. A well keeps working for years after you give it. That is what makes it such a special kind of tribute.

When you give a well in someone's name, that name takes on real meaning for an entire village. Women no longer walking miles, children going back to school instead of fetching water, fewer people falling ill. Every day, without interruption.

It's a gesture that suits very different occasions: remembering someone who has died, a parent's birthday, a birth, a wedding, or simply wanting to thank someone who matters to you. With LIFE, you can pay tribute to loved ones both living and departed.

Sadaqa Jariya: what Islamic tradition says

For many donors, giving a well in a loved one's name rests on a specific concept: Sadaqa Jariya, ongoing charity.

The principle is easy to grasp. Sadaqa Jariya covers every action whose benefits endure over time and serve the community for the long term. It isn't a gift that ends once it's used up: it's a gift that keeps doing good.

As LIFE points out, contemporary Muslim scholars are unanimous: building a well is a model Sadaqa Jariya. Building a well earns spiritual rewards for as long as it remains in working order and benefits local people.

An important point about intention: the reward for this charitable act benefits the deceased provided the donor's intention is clearly set. It is this intention, made at the time of giving, that links the act to the person being honoured.

A well isn't the only form of Sadaqa Jariya. Planting a tree is another: as well as fighting deforestation, a tree provides food, wood and shade, and is a habitat for wildlife. LIFE's Sapousse programme lets you plant a tree for €2.

4 steps to give a well in someone's name

In practice, it's straightforward. Here's how it works with LIFE.

1. You choose your project and the name. You give the name of the person you wish to honour, living or departed, and set your intention.

2. The team selects the village. Local teams identify the community where the need is most urgent, have a geologist carry out a ground survey, and begin construction.

3. The well is built. Construction follows the 7 stages of the specification: survey, drilling, casing, pump, wellhead, laboratory testing of drinking water, and training of the village management committee. Our article Building a well in Africa: stages, costs and real impact explains each phase.

4. You receive updates. As a Lifechanger, the team keeps you informed at every stage of the project. At the end, you receive the well's GPS coordinates, photos and a keepsake booklet. The process is transparent from start to finish.

How much does a tribute well cost?

Funding a well is set at €2,650 in Africa and €2,300 in Asia, a single fair price applied whatever the country. This covers the entire project, from the geological survey to the management committee.

Thanks to the 66% French tax relief on donations to public-interest organisations, a well in Africa really costs around €901. For a full breakdown of this budget, our article How much does a well in Africa cost? itemises each cost, and our complete guide to tax relief on donations explains how the tax mechanism works.

What if the amount is too high?

It's a common question, and there are two solutions.

The first is to club together. There's nothing to stop several people funding a well: family, friends or colleagues. It's actually a common way to honour the memory of someone you all loved, with each person giving what they can.

The second is LIFE's Water Sponsor programme, which lets you help provide access to water from €15 a month. As LIFE stresses, if you can't fund a whole well, regular giving is just as valuable an alternative: it lets your Sadaqa Jariya bear fruit and brings lasting improvements to the daily lives of vulnerable families.

In both cases, the 66% French tax relief applies. A donation of €15 a month really costs €5.10 a month. LIFE's donor relations team can help you set up a group project or choose the option that suits you best.