In 2016 we celebrated our first well in Ethiopia. This happened through generous donations from private individuals, WILD trips and a key contribution from Bear Creek Water of Bear Creek Community Church in Lodi, CA.
Three of our five children are international adoptees. In 2005 Melinda and I added Biniam age 11 and Kuri age 6 to our family from Ethiopia. We decided to honor them by blessing the community of Wamura Seko Kebele. This community was home to 70 families, a primary school of 953 students, and a health clinic. Unfortunately, despite its ability to provide for medical needs and education for its residents, the community was lacking the one essential need to survive—safe water.
The families depended primarily on a nearby river or a few hand-dug wells for the water they required for drinking, cooking, bathing, and cleaning. These unprotected water sources were susceptible to contamination, and as a result, residents frequently suffered from water-related illnesses. Dysentery from drinking the untreated water was common, as was malaria, resulting from the malaria-carrying mosquitoes that made their homes near the river and other open water sources. Typhoid and respiratory infections also were frequent. Students missed valuable education time, suffering at home from the water-related illnesses.
Desperate for answers, the community leaders contacted Living Water International to request assistance with a safe water well in their community. The field team arrived and set up the drilling equipment at Wamura Seko Primary School. The residents were actively engaged in the water project, providing locally available materials, assisting with labor, offering security for the drilling equipment, and preparing food for the team throughout the work. Everyone celebrated as the project became a huge success!
Five men and four women were selected to make up the village’s water committee, and they were tasked with caring for the hand pump and well site. The residents also determined to collect a small user fee each month from every family. The funds were saved for any future pump maintenance needs.
Through these hygiene and sanitation training sessions, community members learned about disease transmission, healthy and unhealthy communities, proper handwashing techniques, and latrine perception. Residents learned how to make handwashing devices from locally available materials that would allow them to wash their hands properly while conserving water. They also practiced properly caring for the pump and the best methods for collecting and storing water. The residents were thankful to Living Water, WeGetWater.org and to God for the new well!
