From Tomatoes to a Motorcycle

One of Water 4 Mercy’s goals has been to engage more men in their communities, encouraging them to take an active role in building a better future instead of waiting helplessly for change or sitting idly while the women fetch the water. 

In some villages, women even face domestic abuse because men become upset that they were gone for so long and assume they were up to something, when in reality, they were simply out getting the water. Since clean water has been provided, male villagers have even admitted that they beat their wives less, as the tension and long absences that once fueled conflict have been reduced.

Masumbuko Herman Thomas from Huzi Village, Tanzania, has seen the transformation of male engagement firsthand. His community gained access to clean water  through Water 4 Mercy in 2021. After the water project, Masumbuko felt inspired to try to grow tomatoes, the most profitable crop in the region, but his harvests were small and unreliable.

 In 2023, everything changed when the agricultural project was completed. Through AiTec’s support and Cultivaid’s technology, Masumbuko learned how to use drip irrigation and discovered the value of high-quality Israeli seedlings. He didn’t need someone to “fix” his farm, he simply needed the right tools and a bit of training.

Applying what he learned, he built his own irrigation system and soon produced a surplus of tomatoes.Standing proudly in front of his new office, with a motorcycle parked out front, Masumbuko shared how learning drip irrigation and working alongside AiTec students has changed his life.

With the profits from his first successful harvest, he bought that motorcycle, allowing him to travel beyond his village to sell his fruits and vegetables. Now, he’s planning to build another storage facility for his crops and continue expanding his business.

When asked how his success has inspired others, Masumbuko smiled.

“I hope through my story, young men can see the benefits of learning drip irrigation and of building something for themselves,” he said 

And yes, Nermine even got to take a spin on the motorcycle with Masumbuko.

Stories like Masumbuko’s are powerful reminders that water is just the beginning. Behind every thriving farm and every life changed is a philosophy that goes far beyond the well.

Beyond the Well: How Water Is Just the Start

 When you first hear Water 4 Mercy, it’s natural to think only of water, after all, it’s in the name. But providing clean water is just the beginning. Turning on a tap doesn’t instantly transform lives; real change happens when communities learn how to use that resource, becoming stewards of their water and applying it toward better nutrition, health, and long-term growth in both their personal and professional lives.

Nermine Rubin, founder and CEO of Water 4 Mercy, has witnessed this transformation firsthand. Since 2018, she has traveled regularly to Africa, working closely with communities and individuals across multiple countries. Through these experiences, she’s seen too many nonprofits and government programs arrive in villages with outside solutions, without listening to the people who live there or tapping into their deep understanding of the land and its rhythms. Once the projects are built, many organizations move on, leaving behind systems that quickly fall into disrepair. Rubin calls these abandoned efforts:

In contrast, Water 4 Mercy listens first. For water projects, we partner with Innovation Africa’s team to work directly with local leaders and community members from the start, ensuring that every system reflects their insights, priorities, and stewardship of the land.

When it comes to agriculture, the collaboration continues. Through AiTec and CultivAid, communities receive ongoing support, regular check-ins, feedback understanding, and educational renewals to strengthen their skills and ensure lasting success of the local farm. 

Rather than imposing outside ideas, the team builds on local wisdom. Water 4 Mercy’s role is not to dictate solutions, but to come alongside communities with tools, technology, and training that help their own vision flourish. That’s what makes Water 4 Mercy different