Gavin's Well
Matt, Inga and Tristyn Grube joined in with hundreds of Kenyans and the rest of the CDK team to celebrate the commissioning of the Muchungucha Primary well in January of 2015. Jigger infestations would stop, scores would improve and lives would be changed because of this well - there were endless reasons to celebrate. But for Matt, Inga and Tristyn, it was a bittersweet occasion.
Inga (center - pink cardigan), Tristyn (center - striped dress) and Matt (blue polo shirt) stand along with the rest of the CDK team, students and teachers from Muchungucha Primary school at the commissioning of Gavin’s well.
Almost exactly a year before, the Grube family had lost their 13-year-old son, Gavin, to cancer. If you would have encountered Gavin, you might have found it hard to believe that this boy, who had helped with our previous tank, played in hockey and soccer teams and been involved with the local church, was busy fighting a 9+ year battle. In the picture below, you can see our commissioning team wearing green “I will never quit” shirts modeling the attitude Gavin took on throughout his years as a St. Jude patient.
Gavin’s well was groundbreaking in more ways than one. In addition to bringing water to over 800 people, it was a turning point for us as an organization. As well number three, it gained the momentum needed to show us that these well sponsorships were not just a few kind acts of charity, but the beginning of a movement - a movement to alleviate the water crisis in Kenya.
Since Gavin’s well, there have been 60 wells commissioned and counting, giving thousands of people their first-ever access to clean water. These wells are great progress - more than we had ever expected! But thousands and thousands are still waiting for water. The need is a great one, but despite it’s immensity, we will take on Gavin’s words as our own: we will never quit.
“I will never quit.”
Part of Gavin’s legacy has involved gaining momentum towards a movement to end the water crisis, a major feat. But his role in sparking momentum such as this is not the greatest legacy Gavin took part in. Gavin was a follower of Jesus Christ, living his life with a passion for His legacy: the plan of salvation. In Gavin’s honor, his father wrote a pamphlet explaining more about this red-letter plan. If you would like a copy for yourself, please click on the Contact US button below.
