Source of the Living Water
Kaniaka, Mali
Located in the desert of northern of Mali, a ministry named “Source of the Living Water” might seem, well, out of place. But the hope is that the name in itself triggers curiosity among a predominantly Muslim population.
Source of the Living Water is based in the village of Lakanguemou, some 500 kilometers from Mali’s capital, but only 3 kilometers from the southern border of Mauritania. The needs in this remote area are vast and providers are few.
The ministry cares for the physical body through general medicine and psychiatry, but also works to provide for the social and spiritual needs of the people.
Ministry work encompasses the lives of many population groups, including adolescent drug addicts, couples dealing with relationship issues and prisoners in need of health and hope.
The ministry is in a time of transition. It’s founder, Dr. Issaka Poudiougo, passed away in August 2025 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. The hope is the health ministry work he began can continue to change lives in the region of Kaniaka.
Name: Sources of the Living Water
Location: Lakanguemou, Mali
Director: Vacant
Partnership: 2019-present
Staff: 4
About the ministry
About Mali
Population: 20.1 million
Size: 1.2 million sq. km, or about twice the size of Texas
Capital: Bamako
Borders: Senegal and Mauritania to the west; Algeria to the northeast; Niger to the east; Guinea, Côte D’Ivoire and Burkina Faso to the south.
Religious groups: Muslim, 93.9%; Christian, 2.8%
Primary language: French
Literacy (age 15+): 35.5%
Physician density: 0.13 doctors per 1,000 people.
Population below international poverty line: 42.1%
Life expectancy: 62.0 years
Infant mortality rate: 62.3 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Major exports: Cotton, gold, livestock.
Climate: Subtropical to arid; hot and dry from February-June; rainy, humid and mild from June-November; cool and dry from November-February.
Terrain: Mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in the south; rugged hills in the northeast..
