It All Starts with Water: Tyler Collen’s Journey to Bring Clean Water to Zimbabwe

For the past 18 years, Tyler Collen has been a key member of MDK as a Senior Client Reporting Specialist, bridging communication between clients and internal teams. In his role, Tyler facilitates case updates, manages client scorecards, and addresses risk alerts—ensuring seamless communication across the firm.

But beyond his dedication to client service, Tyler and his wife, Ashleigh, are deeply committed to a shared mission: bringing clean water to communities in rural Zimbabwe through their work with Drill4Life. Having just returned from their most recent trip in September, Tyler reflects on how this work is transforming lives—proving that it all starts with water.

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MDK: Can you tell us about Drill4Life, the organization you and Ashleigh work with to dig wells in Zimbabwe? How did you get involved, and how long have you been working with them?

Tyler Collen: Our journey started after visiting Zimbabwe in 2015 to visit one of Ashleigh’s close friends from college. It was an incredible trip, and we witnessed firsthand how critical access to clean water is in rural communities. Once back home and inspired by that trip, we connected with a local organization here in Columbus and raised funds for two water projects. We traveled back in 2017 and were present for the drilling and installation of the two Bush Pumps in villages near Chipinge, Zimbabwe.

In 2019 we met Simba Maswela, Drill4Life’s founder. He’s an amazing person and we all immediately hit it off. We officially joined Drill4Life’s board in 2020.  It was an amazing opportunity knowing that Drill4Life could provide an avenue to give back and continue this vital work. Since its founding, Drill4Life has completed 15 water projects in Zimbabwe, and we hope we’re just getting started.  

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MDK: What does the process look like for a water project?

TC: The initial outreach typically comes from village members or local officials who contact Drill4Life about a need in their community. Drill4Life team members on the ground will then travel to the villages to verify the need and obtain all the required approvals and paperwork. Once all that is in order, we will send a siter out to the village for a geological survey to pinpoint the best spot to drill. Assuming the report is favorable, the drilling company will then send a rig to the village and initiate the drill. If we hit water, a handpump will then be installed. It’s very hands-on, and the local community is always involved to assist the drillers and complete the civil work (for example, pouring concrete) around the pump.  

One of the biggest game changers for Drill4Life has been our recent partnership with Design Outreach, a Columbus-based nonprofit. They developed the Life Pump, which addresses some of the challenges we face with the standard Bush Pump. Unlike the Bush Pump, which is a very good pump but does struggle at depths beyond 80 meters and requires regular maintenance to stay operational, the Life Pump can reach well over 100 meters if need be and still function smoothly with minimal maintenance. It uses a rotary motion, making it easier to operate for the elderly and young children, and it’s constructed from high-grade stainless steel, so it’s highly resistant to corrosion.

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Another incredible feature is the GPS monitoring system on the front of the Life Pump. The pump tracks water output and sends regular data snapshots. If there’s a sudden drop in water output, we can identify the issue remotely and send someone to repair it quickly. This level of reliability and maintenance support is crucial in rural areas where broken pumps are commonplace and often go unrepaired for long periods of time.  

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MDK: How has access to clean water impacted the communities you serve?

TC: The impact is truly transformative. Clean water touches every aspect of life. First and foremost, it drastically improves health by reducing waterborne diseases that are common in areas with contaminated water sources. When a community has access to clean water, it means fewer people—especially children—are getting sick from preventable illnesses like cholera. This leads to higher attendance at schools because kids are healthier and not spending long hours every day fetching water from distant, unsafe sources.

Clean water also supports agriculture. It’s not just about having water to drink—water is vital for growing crops and sustaining livestock. In many of the rural communities we serve, agriculture is the backbone of their economy. When they have a reliable source of water, they can irrigate their fields more effectively, leading to better harvests and more food for their families. It boosts food security and even creates opportunities for selling surplus crops, which can be a lifeline for families.

Another thing people don’t always think about is that clean water enables development. Communities are often hesitant to build schools or clinics in areas without a reliable water source. The government or nonprofits don’t want to invest in these critical institutions if they know there won’t be enough water to support them. But once a reliable source of water is established, it opens the door for building these facilities, which are essential for the long-term development and well-being of the community.

So, in many ways, clean water lays the foundation for everything else. When a community has it, there’s this ripple effect of positive change— it all starts with water.

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MDK: Can you share a favorite memory from one of your trips?

TC: One standout moment was the first time we saw water flow from a new well. We had been working for hours, and the anticipation built as the team cranked the handle, waiting for that first drop. When the water finally started flowing, the entire community erupted in cheers. It was an incredibly emotional moment.

I vividly remember seeing the joy and relief on people’s faces—kids were running around, laughing, and filling up their containers. Some of the women, who had been walking miles each day to get water, were so overcome with emotion that they started to cry. That moment brought home just how essential clean water is for survival and how something as simple as a reliable well can transform a community.

The people in Zimbabwe are some of the kindest, warmest people I’ve ever met. They don’t have much, but they are incredibly generous. I’ve been in villages where families, who have very little, would go out of their way to prepare a special meal for us, even offering up a goat or chicken, which is a huge deal for them. Despite the hardships they face, there’s so much joy, gratitude, and hospitality in their communities.

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MDK: What advice would you give to someone interested in getting involved in similar volunteer work?

TC: Find an organization aligned with your passions. It’s important to connect with a cause that resonates with you and to know that even small contributions can make a big difference. For anyone looking to support Drill4Life, there are several ways to get involved.

We host multiple fundraising events throughout the year, like a golf outing in the spring, a barbecue in the summer, and a 5K run in the fall. These events are a great way to support the organization and raise funds for new wells.

We’re also always looking for volunteers to help with organizing these events or with other day-to-day tasks. Whether it’s helping plan a fundraiser or simply spreading the word about our work, there are so many ways to contribute. And while we haven’t started offering trips yet, we hope to bring people to Zimbabwe in the future so they can experience firsthand the impact of their contributions.

In the meantime, anyone interested can visit our website,  follow us on Facebook or visit our YouTube page to learn more. If you have any questions or want to get involved, feel free to reach out to me directly. We're a small, all-volunteer organization, and we’re passionate about what we do. Every bit of help goes a long way in making a difference.

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MDK: That’s fantastic. You said something earlier that really stuck with me: “It all starts with water.”

TC: It really does. When you’re in places experiencing drought or lacking water infrastructure, you realize how fundamental water is. It changes lives.

Clean water gives people the opportunity to focus on building their future, rather than just surviving day to day. It’s not just about water—it’s about hope and opportunity.

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MDK: Thank you so much, Tyler! This was an incredible conversation.  

TC: Of course! Thanks for the time.

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