Preparation: Have a map of the world, or at least a current map of Africa, on display. Displays photos of wells from various countries, if available. Prepare two similar bottles, preferably plastic. On the empty one tape a sign saying, "Sorry, no water here." Fill the other with muddy water, leaving room to add enough white vinegar to make it smell bad. On this tape a sign saying, "Sorry, this water is not fit to drink." Or ask a child or two to rinse their hands in a basin of water.

Have you had a drink of water today? Many people in the world are thirsty, but often their choice is contaminated water or no water at all. Contaminated is another word for polluted. Does everyone know what pollution is? (Display the two bottles, and give the children a chance to smell the one filled with muddy water. Ask which one they would choose. Or ask the children if they would like to drink the water in the basin after hands had been rinsed in it.)

Drinking contaminated water spreads diseases like diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, schistosomiasis. (If children ask why people don't drink bottled water or soft drinks, tell them that none of these are available, or cost much more than the people can pay.) Boiling water for drinking will get rid of the germs, but it will still taste bad, and most people do not have an extra cooking pot just to keep boiled water in.

We have talked about how the wells are constructed, and that money is needed to pay for cement and a windlass. This is a very simple way to provide clean water. When we send our offerings to Global Health Ministries, it will be possible for them to send money when and where it is needed. Wells have already been dug in Senegal, Tanzania and Madagascar with funds from Global Health Ministries. (Find these countries on a map.)

Memory Verse

Jesus said, "I was sick and you looked after me." -- Matthew 25:36

Jesus tells us that we should be concerned about people who are sick. Many people will get sick today because they are drinking bad water.

Offering

Have the children place their offering in the "well."

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for the gift of water. We pray that people who don't have clean water will get it through our gifts of money. Amen.

Song

See Appendix for suggestions.

Session 3

Lesson Index

Session 5