Empowering Community, Transformative Lives: Nermine Khouzam Rubin’s Journey

In the current business landscape, few voices resonate as deeply as Nermine Khouzam Rubin’s. Based in Florida, United States, Nermine is the Founder and CEO of Water 4 Mercy,  a non-profit charity aiming to uphold human dignity by eradicating thirst, hunger, and poverty in Africa. She serves on the boards of several organizations, including Clearwater Central Catholic High School, Enviro Projects International, Main Street Economics, and Jewish National Fund (JNF). In April 2025, she was appointed as an EMINENT Peace Ambassador by the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), an international organization with consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). As a UN Eminent Peace Ambassador,  Nermine is committed to promoting peace, sustainable development, and human dignity on a global scale. She is also an Eminent Peace Ambassador (2025) appointed by the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), an organization with special consultative status under the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This title acknowledges her commitment to fostering peace, cultural understanding, and sustainable development through Water 4 Mercy’s initiatives.

Passionate about creating lasting impact, she has crafted a distinctive approach combining innovative solutions, faith-driven diplomacy, and local empowerment for transforming communities across Africa.

The Founding Story

Water 4 Mercy was born out of a transformative personal journey. In 2018, Nermine, a seasoned corporate and healthcare executive, witnessed firsthand the heartbreaking reality of water scarcity in Africa. Inspired by her Catholic faith and a sense of moral responsibility, she founded Water 4 Mercy to offer long-term, dignified solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems.

As a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity, Water 4 Mercy, Inc., is dedicated to making a lasting difference in the lives of those it serves. Its mission is to uphold human dignity by eradicating thirst, hunger, and poverty in Africa through sustainable, world-renowned water and nutritious innovations, paired with agricultural education and local empowerment.

A Distinctive Approach to Sustainable Development

Water 4 Mercy stands out from traditional aid organizations through its approach to addressing critical needs in Africa. The organization combines cutting-edge solutions, including solar-powered clean water systems, regenerative agriculture, food security training, and educational empowerment and capacity building. What sets Water 4 Mercy apart is its commitment to long-term sustainability, achieved through the use of remote monitoring technology that tracks projects in real time.

A Unique Model for Lasting Impact

Water 4 Mercy’s model stands out for multiple reasons. First of all, its projects boast a zero breakdown rate, thanks to remote monitoring that ensures they stay operational and resistant to vandalism, theft, or neglect. Second, the organization partners with world-renowned innovators such as Innovation: Africa, Don Bosco Technical Institutes of Africa, and CultivAid/Hebrew University. Water 4 Mercy delivers field-tested, proven Israeli solutions to African communities. Faith-driven diplomacy and interfaith collaboration: Water 4 Mercy promotes peace and understanding through partnerships that transcend religious boundaries, connecting Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities around a shared purpose.

Transformative Impact: The Remarkable Impact

Water 4 Mercy has made major strides in its mission to uphold dignity and eradicate poverty in Africa. Its notable achievements include

The organization has transformed 28 Villages, bringing clean water, food, and hope to thousands of lives. Currently, 15 projects are underway across water, agriculture, and education in 5 African countries. Water 4 Mercy’s efforts have impacted over 87,000 lives,  improving health, economic empowerment, and dignity while reducing migration. Through its  AITeC (Agricultural Innovation and Technology Centers), the organization has trained over 12,800 farmers, promoting local food sovereignty. Additionally, 450+ Students have received education in agri-tech through AITeC’s “Teaching the Teachers to Teach” model, which is growing a new generation of agronomists. Water 4 Mercy operates in 6 Countries, including Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Zambia, Uganda, and Morocco, and has a plan to expand into Malawi. The organization also secured institutional support from partners like Israeli Embassies, Catholic parishes, Jewish donors, and various community organizations.

Flagship Initiatives

AITeC: Agricultural Innovation & Technology Centers

• Powered by Israeli knowledge and Don Bosco Technical Institutes
• Train-the-trainer model to build African agricultural experts
• Promotes long-term food and nutritional security
• Locations: Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Morocco
• Expanding to Malawi, Zambia, Uganda

Walk 4 Water Movement

• Engaging U.S. schools and parishes to support African villages
• Clearwater Central Catholic High School’s chapter is leading the way
• Students are learning global responsibility and acting as changemakers

“The Most Wonderful Rain” (Children’s Book)

• Co-authored by Nermine, with an introduction by New York Bestselling author of ‘Let There Be Water: Israel’s Solution for a Water-Starved World’; endorsements by Bishop Gregory Parkes and H. E. Oded Joseph, Former Ambassador of Israel to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, and Seychelles
• Real-life story from Huzi Village, Dodoma Region, Tanzania
• Educates children and donors about the life-changing impact of water access

Accolades and Recognitions

Nermine Khouzam Rubin and Water 4 Mercy have been honored with several prestigious awards and recognitions for their impactful work in providing sustainable water, agriculture, and education solutions across Africa.

Notably, the organization has earned Guidestar’s 2025 Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest recognition awarded by Guidestar. Water 4 Mercy has also been featured at the 2025 Divine Mercy Weekend, EWTN, and Catholic Media Platforms. In December 2024, Nermine was named “Most Inspiring CEO’s to Watch in 2025* by Fortune Leader magazine. In November 2024, Nermine received the official Designation of ‘Dame’ in the Order of Parte Guelfa, a knighthood dedicated to preserving the world established by order of French Pope Clement IV.

The Guiding Principles

Water 4 Mercy is guided by a set of core values; at its heart is a commitment to dignity, implementing solutions that respect the human spirit and promote self-sufficiency. The organization focuses on sustainability, ensuring long-term impact through remote monitoring, local ownership, and training. As a Catholic-founded organization, Water 4 Mercy embodies faith in action, fostering interfaith collaboration and partnership. It also practices diplomacy through development, fostering cooperation between Israel and Africa under the Abraham Accords framework.  Finally, Water 4 Mercy values efficiency, delivering impactful results at a fraction of the cost of large-scale NGOs, making a tangible difference in millions of lives.

What Sets Water 4 Mercy Apart: The Key Differentiators

Water 4 Mercy stands out for numerous factors. The organization boasts a perfect record with 100% of completed water systems remaining operational, a testament to its commitment to sustainability. Its approach focuses on long-term thinking, focusing on building capability and dignity rather than just providing support.

Water 4 Mercy also serves as a bridge builder, nurturing collaborations between Israel and Africa, Jewish and Christian, and technological and spiritual initiatives, while bringing together people of all ages. Despite its lean team structure, the organization achieves an outsized global impact, making it a model for effective and efficient humanitarian work.

Looking Ahead

As Water 4 Mercy continues to make strides in its mission, Nermine and her team are actively working on key initiatives. The organization is seeking funding for scaling its AITeC model across Africa to expand its reach and impact. Additionally,  Water 4 Mercy is about to launch a Giving Circle (“Living Mercy Together”) and is also applying for large-scale impact grants (Waislitz Global Citizen Award). Furthermore, Water 4 Mercy is exploring partnerships to develop carbon credits and wine value chains that benefit Tanzanian farmers while expanding faith-based school partnerships across the U.S.

Closing Message

“Water 4 Mercy is not about charity—it’s about justice. People shouldn’t have to suffer for what we take for granted. With God’s grace, Israeli innovation, and the will to act, we’re transforming villages into self-sustaining communities and despair into hope.” — Nermine Khouzam Rubin, MBA MHS, Founder & CEO