Rehabilitation Project
Upon completion of the project, our partner in the field reports...
When the Living Water Burkina Faso team arrived, 450 residents were dependent on an unprotected hand dug well located 3 kilometers outside the community, pipes water, protected wells and boreholes all located over 4 kilometers outside the community and an unprotected spring and other various forms of surface water to meet all of their water needs. Because of this and the community’s practice of open defecation, families
were suffering from diarrhea and severe dehydration among other preventable water related illnesses. There is a latrine in the area, but only used by the school. It is hoped that after hygiene education latrines will become a valued facility, be constructed and properly used in the community. During the team’s stay, community members assembled a water committee and self-help group who assisted the team with the water project whenever possible. This water committee is responsible for helping maintain the well after the team leaves the area. Most residents are of Catholic or Muslim faith and support their families by subsistence farming. There is a local primary school with 395 students who now all have access to a safe water source. There is an NGP; PABSO working in the area with agricultural projects in low water runoff areas for rice production. Before leaving the community, the team provided the water committee with a Living Water Burkina Faso contact number in case their well were to fall into disrepair, become subject to vandalism or theft.
There were 386 people who attended hygiene classes; 193 women, 88 men and 105 children. Using the Living Water Traditional Method, the team addressed: Germs, Hand Washing-Proper Techniques and Water Saving Methods, Good-Bad Hygiene Behaviors, Proper Care of Pump and Keeping the Water Clean.
The Living Water Burkina Faso team had an opportunity to meet with thirty-two year old community member and farmer, Patrice Milogo, who stated, "Our pump was broken down for two years. It was very difficult for us to find water that was drinkable. We utilized water from the creek and the hand dug wells. But following, we had sickness from drinking water which was not clean. But today, God has come here in this village. We have received good friends who have come to our aid. Today, we have received a great joy here. We sincerely thank the repair team from Dano and their partners from the USA. I also thank God who is all powerful because it's because of Him that we have received this water. Thank you, thank you, thank you."
There are no churches that exist in this village or the nearby region. A deciding factor for Living Water Burkina Faso working in this area is due to a lack of churches and evangelism. The area is marked by staunch religious traditionalism and the use of sacrifices, idols, and fetishers. It is a dark area. But already, doors are opening for evangelism in this area. Water is really opening wide the door for opportunities to share Jesus with the people, and they seem hungry to hear it. The Living Water Burkina Faso evangelists have shown the Jesus film to more than a 1,000 people in the area and their hearts are opening up. Pray that we can establish a church with strong leaders to help the people experience what knowing God is all about and how He changes our lives. Pray against the forces of
darkness that would prevent us from opening up this area for the kingdom of light. God has promised that His word will not return void until it accomplishes everything He has intended.
