the Amazi Water story
Development through water
Having studied social work in South Africa from 1995, Caelene wanted to live in the bush and work there. In 2001, we met at Shepherd's Bush in London. Caelene's father-also John-said, 'if you marry my daughter you will live in Africa'. This is that story.
Our Story
Caelene and John married in 2004. John was working at Starbucks. Upon arriving in Texas, Caelene worked at Catholic Charities resettling Burundian refugees. 5 year's later John and Caelene got involved with a coffee project in Burundi and the Lord began placing pans in our heart. After much prayer and an exploratory trip in 2014, John and Caelene sensed clearly that the Lord was calling them to Burundi. In 2015, they traveled to Bujumbura with their three young children and registered the NGO Think East Africa. During those months, they met the only man in the country with a drilling rig and began drilling their first water wells in partnership with Eglise Vivante.
Water in Burundi
Our
Story
So much more to share. The story is still being written.
Get to Know Us
In 2017, the Peakes received missionary training through Missions Resource Network, where Mark and Jill Brazle became their primary missions' carers. They also completed security training in Uganda with Sanctuary Consulting before moving full time to Burundi.
Their commitment was further strengthened when the Vanman family came on board as major donors. The Peakes’ passion, energy and vision combined with the Vanman’s commitment and generosity made it possible to build the first large-scale water project in Burundi.
Over time, the work expanded to include dedicated departments and trained engineers, water system designs and technical partnerships, drilling rigs and off-road vehicles, and a fast-growing number of boreholes across Burundi.
John’s education and experience in project management, along with Caelene’s extensive background in community development, prepared them well for pioneering and building in a challenging environment. Even so, they were continually amazed by the doors that opened, the miracles they witnessed, and the ongoing success of the project. To them, it was clear that the work was being led by the Lord.
In 2020, the Think East Africa was renamed Amazi Water, and the project continued to move forward steadily.
In 2021 the President of Burundi initiated Amazi Kuri Bose. This provided government support for nationwide water coverage supported by the Vanman family.
In 2022, the headquarters in Bujumbura were completed, providing a beautiful and visible representation of the work, the team, and all that had been achieved.
In 2023, Grundfos, Amazi Water’s primary in-ground pump supplier, invited John and Caelene to participate in the documentary Our Blue World. The film captures a stunning snapshot of Amazi’s work in Burundi.
In 2024, the Peakes left Amazi Water to pioneer new water and solar initiatives for Burundi.
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“All glory to Jesus Christ for His guidance, wisdom, and provision in building Amazi Water. We will always be grateful to the Vanman family for their generosity, which made the work possible.”
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“Our most cherished memories in building Amazi Water are the times we worshiped with our Burundi team and engaged in deep discipleship programs led by our missions' carers, Mark and Jill Brazle. Our hearts and prayers are with Amazi Water.”
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Turikumwe. We are together.