Semana is a remote village about 80 kilometers south of the capitol city, Bamako.  There are roughly 4,300 villagers.

To reach the nearest well, it was normal to walk 15 minutes. The villagers dropped a bucket attached to a rope 30-70 feet long. Many adults and youth lost their lives each year falling down the well. This water contained Coliform bacteria.  Drawing water from the well presented both physical and safety challenges.

The Mali Wellness Foundation drilled a deep well system (220 feet) that does not dry up in the summer months. The depth of the well also helps prevent contaminants from entering the water. The system includes a newly designed filtration system to ensure pure, potable water for both the school and in the nearby village. The well has the capacity to generate 10,800 of liters of water per hour. Children prone to sickness due to waterborne illness are now significantly less susceptible to exposure.

Villagers were trained to maintain the new water system and change the water filters as needed. The local members of the Mali Wellness Foundation are trained to regularly test the water and ensure proper maintenance over the years.