As members of North Carolina State University's Muslim Student Association (MSA), our work is guided by the Islamic belief that service is a responsibility we carry as a community. We strive to bring change through compassion and serving those in need across the world with mercy.
Why Wells?
Every year, the MSA at NC State University takes on a service initiative directed towards bringing positive change to the ummah. This year, our goal aimed to go beyond temporary relief and establish a sadaqah jariyah–a form of continuous, long-lasting charity. The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, emphasized that providing water is among the best forms of charity. With that guidance in mind, our goal was clear: we chose to focus our efforts on supporting the construction of water wells.
Growing up in the United States, many of us have never faced the daily challenge of struggling to access something as fundamental as clean drinking water. While we plan our education pathways, careers, and future lives, billions of people around the world lack access to a reliable source of clean water. As young American Muslims blessed with consistent access to this basic necessity, we felt a responsibility to give back. With sincere intention, we chose to make an impact through water.
Why Pakistan? Partnering with the Paani Project
As we began exploring where and how to direct our efforts, it was important for us to consider partnering with an organization that prioritizes transparency, sustainability, and meaningful impact. The Paani Project stood out for its commitment to addressing water insecurity through long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes. This keen focus on building wells in underserved communities aligned perfectly with our vision of creating a lasting benefit.
Choosing Pakistan as one of the locations to support through our water initiatives was a deliberate and deeply personal decision for the MSA board as a whole. It was driven by our diverse backgrounds and a shared awareness of global inequities. Mohsin, a board member of the MSA, had recently visited his mom's village in the outskirts of Lahore in Pakistan. He observed the lack of resources such as clean water, which was driven by the absence of infrastructure and severe flooding. Supporting a well there allowed us to address a persistent need through a sustainable solution which communities could rely on long term. This decision was further reinforced by another board member, Malaak, who is Palestinian and has been deeply influenced to help by witnessing the deprivation of basic necessities in Gaza. Together, these experiences reminded us of the importance of supporting communities beyond our immediate borders. When water is scarce, every aspect of life is affected, which reinforced our commitment to making a necessary and meaningful contribution.
Turning the Vision into Reality: The Plan
After we had set our intention and found our initiative, we began brainstorming on ways to raise awareness. In order to achieve this goal, two things were essential–the trust of our local community, and a meaningful incentive to support our project. With our annual Charity Bazaar less than four weeks away, there was much to accomplish in very little time. This was a bazaar not just for buying clothes or food, but a place where people came together for one purpose: to serve as a community.
Since an event of this caliber could not be planned by one individual, the MSA board carefully assembled a group of dedicated volunteers. These students brought extensive experience in community collaboration, leadership, and large-scale service initiatives. From selecting vendors and securing an appropriate venue, to coordinating logistics, managing outreach, and overseeing day-of operations, each volunteer played a vital role in the success of the bazaar.
In the weeks leading up to the event, outreach efforts included filming Instagram reels, sending WhatsApp announcements, and distributing hundreds of fliers after Jumuah. Dozens of messages were sent to families, students, peers, and friends, inviting them to take part in this day of charity. The team continued to work diligently up until the night before the event, finalizing vendor attendance, coordinating with decorators, and preparing event giveaways and community incentives. After a month of consistent collaboration and planning, the day of the bazaar had finally arrived.
The Community Bazaar: A Collaborative Fundraising Effort
Our fundraising efforts focused on allowing people to easily participate and understand the direct impacts of their donations. On the day of the bazaar, over 300 community members showed up to support the cause in various ways, whether by stopping to learn more, making a donation, or even encouraging others to get involved. A local Muslim-owned bakery generously sponsored a bake sale, giving attendees a simple way to contribute to our cause. Informational plaques were methodically placed throughout the event containing clear infographics and scannable donation links for convenience. In addition to an ongoing fundraiser, volunteers at the welcome table directly engaged with attendees to discuss the water crisis and how donations would be used to contribute towards relief. Together, these efforts of the community reflected a shared willingness to support a cause with long-lasting impact.
Final Reflections: Our Impact Through Water
In the days following the bazaar, the feedback we received from vendors, families, and attendees was overwhelmingly encouraging. Many expressed appreciation for the purpose behind the event and shared how meaningful it felt to support a cause centered on long-term impact. Vendors shared how intentional the bazaar felt, not only a place for commerce, but rather as a gathering for service. Hearing this reinforced the notion that the cause resonated beyond fundraising alone, and was valued as a community effort with a clear goal.
In the coming weeks, we received the photos shared by Paani Project of the completed well. Seeing these images made the impact of the project feel complete. What had started as conversations, planning sessions, and community outreach had culminated in a tangible source of clean water for a community in need.
Going into this charity project, we sought to work with an organization that valued trust and transparency in their work. This milestone achieved through the Paani Project brought joy to our entire community and strengthened NC State MSA's commitment to continue future collaborative efforts. Their clear communication throughout the process, including access to a donor portal, follow-up updates, and a defined completion timeline allowed us to closely follow the project's progress. In addition to the photos of the completed well and community members, we were delighted to receive a water quality report outlining the health standards prioritized during construction. Our experience through the Paani Project reaffirmed the value of community service and the impact that thoughtful partnerships can have on the end goal. The last few months of planning were not just defined by checklists or tasks, but by service, reflection, and selfless commitment.
We often tell ourselves that we as individuals have no power to bring change, but Maulana Jalaludin Rumi once said,
"You are not a drop in the ocean–you are the entire ocean in a drop."