A well

Week 5 numbers are in! 2,786 wells have been dedicated and installed! Many still need funding…

 We arrived at the well and they were there waiting. The most people we’ve seen at a well this year. It was my turn to enter information into the android. As I walked up a woman continued singing with the rest, but came over and shook my hand and pulled me in for a hug. I got the gps reading and was waiting for the depth measurements. The foot valve had been left at the truck (luckily not far away). The women changed songs to one that they dance to so I quit waiting and went to dance (of course I did). 

Then I finished entering the technical info, build quality, who is present at the well, who built the well, etc. As I finished that they started to set up for a drama. We watched them act out getting water from their old source, a shallow hole that was very sandy and didn’t have much water. Each scoop also pulled up sand and those who came to get water each explained why they should get the little water that was there. And they would fight over it. The drama was full of laughter but it was a sad story. 

Then they took us a little ways away and showed us the old water sources. The first was small enough that it was scooped out with a cup…to fill a 20 liter bucket would take a lot of time. The other was larger (pictured) but still shallow and not a fast refill. They said women would sometimes sleep next to it. 

The joy of the installation was overwhelming. They listened intently to the dedication. And celebrated back to the truck. 

Uchindami kwa Chiuta!

Any amount small or large will help to fund life giving gift. For $475 (an entire well) you will get a picture of the well and some of the villagers that you have sponsored. To donate go to mmmwater.org