The dedication

After the installation, we gather the village for the dedication and ask for a villager to pray. We then introduce ourselves and our MMM workers. We talk about the Americans hearing about the need for clean water and wanting to help, gather the money to pay for the cement, the pipes, and the pump. Then that the village also wanted clean water and so they put in the work: digging the hole, making the bricks, gathering the sand and gravel. That only together is there a strong well here today. 

We ask who the well belongs to. Though I have learned that ownership here is understood differently and thus I ask who will be using this well. Is it the Americans who paid for it? Is it the organization that helped construct it? NO! It is you. This well is yours. And so you are the ones to take care of it. Keeping animals and trash away. Using it correctly. Keeping fertilizer and buildings far away to keep the water safe and clean. 

We talk of the maintenance fee that is paid yearly that insures replacement parts when the well breaks. We point out the maintenance person and make sure they know how to get in touch. And remind them that when they come to fix the well the village should give a gift of appreciation because the maintenance person doesn’t get paid to fix the well. 

We explain that the picture we take is sent to the donor in the US to show that there is a well and clean water and a happy village. We open the floor and a chief speaks thanks and admonishes the village to take care of this blessing. 

Then a demonstration on how to pump, with a few more instructions, maybe some splashing, dancing, gift giving and it is on to the next well!