Mark and Peggy Halvorsen hoped to adopt two brothers from Liberia, West Africa. While working through the adoption process to adopt Habakkuk and Michael, their hearts were broken. In June 2009, Habakkuk, then 2 ½, contracted a fatal case of cholera from drinking tainted water in Kpeletayama. He was drinking from the village's only source of water, a pool of surface water which is easily contaminated.

Determined not to let death have the final word, plans to install a clean water well in Habakkuk’s memory began. Fundraising began in January 2010 in a race against time to finish the project before the rainy season sets in and another season of sickness and death begins.

Amazingly, the funds come in quickly, and Habakkuk’s well is dedicated in April 2010. The effects of the clean water are immediate, with the rate of sickness and disease falling dramatically. Habakkuk’s well brought hope to his whole community.

Mark and Peggy had a dedication note to the village inscribed at the well in memory of Habakkuk. During their trip to visit the completed well, they discovered that the people of the village could not read the inscription — thereby giving birth to Teamwork Africa’s education program that constructs a teaching tent, brings a teacher to the village, and pays for local children to get an education.

The money for a small teacher's house was raised by March 2011. The teacher house is necessary in order to bring in a teacher to educate the village children. School will start this fall in a temporary shelter. The school's teacher is also the pastor of the local church plant, and his wife Nancy is a nurse midwife. She brings the only medical access for the whole community.

While Mark & Peggy were in Liberia for the dedication of the teacher's house, they visited several rural communities of central Liberia, all lacking access to clean water and education for their children. Sitting in a missionary house built in the 1930’s, Teamwork Africa came to life as they dreamed with Liberian friends of the potential impact of partnering together to address the needs of these remote villages.

From 2011 to 2014, 66 clean water wells have been installed and 166 wells repaired. Each providing safe water to villages that desperately needed it. In addition, orphans and children at risk are being cared for through our Starfish Kids sponsorship program.

Through this partnership between individuals in American and individuals in Liberia, we are making a difference one at a time.