The Search for Clean Water in Kyela, Tanzania!
“About half of the people living in Tanzania do not have access to safe drinking water,” his letter continues. “Additionally,since so many Tanzanians live in poverty, most people cannot afford to pay for water nor are they able to pay for the drilling of wells. As a result, many people — mostly women and girls — must spend a significant amount of their day walking long distances to collect water. When they find it, they hope that it will be clean enough to drink. Due to the lack of clean water, water-borne illnesses such as malaria, cholera and dysentery account for over half of the diseases affecting the population. That’s why it is critical that we help the people of Kyela.”
“When the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins:to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry ....”
Howard Thurman (1899-1981)
I think most of us would admit that this past year has been one of the most challenging times in recent memory. For this reason, I want you to know how incredibly grateful our missionaries are for your continued support in the midst of these trying times. Your support makes our work among Africa’s poor and needy possible.
A mother and daughter searching for water!
As we begin another Christmas season — a time when we reflect upon what we have and sharing with those in need — I want to share with you a letter I received a few weeks ago from Fr. Francis Kangwa, one of our Missionaries working in Dar es Salaam,Tanzania, in East Africa. As part of his work among the people of Tanzania, Fr. Francis oversees missions in some of the most remote regions of the continent — such as the one in Kyela — in far southwestern Tanzania. He wrote to me about their desperate situation!
“The people of Kyela are very poor and need our help,”Fr. Francis explains. “Two years ago, the water pipe that used to run here from another village several miles away was shut down. Because of that, the people went back to using surface water for drinking and bathing. Unfortunately, much of that water is contaminated with bacteria –making it hazardous for consumption.”
“About half of the people living in Tanzania do not have access to safe drinking water,” his letter continues. “Additionally,since so many Tanzanians live in poverty, most people cannot afford to pay for water nor are they able to pay for the drilling of wells. As a result, many people — mostly women and girls — must spend a significant amount of their day walking long distances to collect water. When they find it, they hope that it will be clean enough to drink.
Workers preparing to drill the borehole well.
Due to the lack of clean water, water-borne illnesses such as malaria, cholera and dysentery account for over half of the diseases affecting the population. That’s why it is critical that we help the people of Kyela.”
“The people of Kyela have been able to test-drill a borehole and have found that they can successfully drill a new well if they can raise the funds needed,”Fr.Francis writes. “In addition to paying the company to drill the well, they will also need to purchase pipes, casings, concrete, pumps and valves. Can you help them?”
Testing the new water supply!
As I read Fr. Francis’ letter, I could not help but think how so many of us take clean water for granted. Perhaps we should take measures in our own communities to conserve this valuable resource! For example, we can take showers rather than baths. . . often saving as much as 30 gallons of water. We can also replace leaky faucets which can waste more than 15 gallons of water a day! Any small action can help.
I am also hoping that during this Christmas season, you will help the people of Kyela get the clean water they need. While we want to raise at least $31,600 for this and other water projects throughout East Africa, please know that ANY amount you send will help provide the men, women and children in our missions with the life-changing and often life-saving help they need. Anything you can do can help! On behalf of all of the Missionaries of Africa, once again thank you for all you do for Africa and have a blessed and safe Christmas!
Your Missionary Friend,
Denis P. Pringle
Director of Development