March 18, 2025
Excerpt taken from the Emmetsburg Reporter Democrat. Written by Diane Weiland.
Michael Stein runs in races not necessarily to win, but to bring awareness to the Sister Water Project. Mike can be seen running marathons in a t-shirt that says, “I Run For Water.” He was in Emmetsburg over the weekend and ran in Saturday’s O’Round the Loch Run. He also took time to visit about the Sister Water Project.
The Sister Water Project started in 2006 after the Dubuque Franciscans had studied global water issues. The study in 2006 found that 1.1 billion of the poorest people in the world lack safe drinking water. Every 21 seconds, a child dies from a water-related illness. According to their flyer, after studying and discerning these global water issues, the Dubuque Franciscans began the Sister Water Project (SWP).
The goal of the Sister Water Project was to provide access to clean water for people in Honduras, Central America, and Tanzania, Africa. Their first aim was to raise $42,000 to send volunteers to Honduras to help dig trenches to bring water to houses within a village. They also wanted to build nine simtanks (storm water collection tanks) in Tanzania. The initial $42,000 goal was met. By April, 2007, nine simtanks were funded and built in Tanzania. 30 volunteers traveled to Honduras to help dig the trenches.
In 2024, a Sister Water Project team traveled to the village of Zacate Blanco in Honduras. They worked alongside 100 Hondurans digging trenches for their water system. As of March, 2025, the Sister Water Project has helped fund 66 large water projects in Honduras, serving approximately 58,524 people. After a water project is completed, parasites and diarrhea greatly decrease among the people. Before this, water was gathered wherever there was a place that held water after a rain including ditches and potholes.
Mike explained that in Tanzania, volunteers with Safe Water for Life and Dignity (SWLD) determine the villages most in need for a clean water project. SWLD coordinates with villagers to complete well installations. Villagers provide labor, tools, equipment, repairs and maintenance. At the completion of each project there is a village celebration.
In January, 2025, a SWP team audited wells in Tanzania. Well #1 constructed in 2007 is still working. As of February 28, 2025, SWP has supported 493 well projects in Tanzania that now serve approximately 555,767 people.
Mike has been very connected with the Franciscan sisters. He started to run marathons to bring awareness to the Sister Water Project. In 2022, he raised around $8,000 for the project. In 2023, he raised $16,000. He has also done public speaking about the project to various clubs.
Mike says that his age is catching up with him and his running career may be winding down. He still is involved in bringing awareness to the Sister Water Project. He has traveled to Tanzania and Guatemala and plans to travel to Honduras at some time for a water project.
Recently, he set up his own website, www.prairiefire.foundation to accept donations for the Sister Water Project. To make a donation, go to the website and click on the “Donate Now” button and make a one-time donation.