Rehabilitation Project
Upon completion of the project, our partner in the field reports...
When the Living Water Burkina Faso team arrived, 150 community members were dependent on an unprotected hand dug well, unprotected spring and other forms of surface water, piped water on premises and tube wells so sustain their growing water needs. Because of the community’s dependence on contaminated water sources and their practice of open defecation, families were suffering from diarrhea and severe dehydration among other preventable water related illnesses. During the team’s stay, community members assembled a water committee, self-help group and women’s health group who assisted the team and will continue to help serve in the community after the team leaves the area. There two other NGP’s working in the area: PABSO (German Project) and ANTABA, whose focus in on literacy. Most residents are of Muslim faith, as this is the first time many in this area have heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 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.
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 the chance to speak with Mahamadi Sawadogo, who stated, "As a representative of the Mayor today in the village of Bonfesso, I don't have anything to say but to thank Living Water International and their partner, The Water Project, in collaboration with the Association of Dagara Churches (Krista Lawyir), because it is not their first activity in this region. We have seen their work in the village of Nabere where they have rehabilitated wells and drilled a new well. We have also seen their work in the villages of Djarkadougou and Sorendigui in rehabilitating their wells, and today we are in the village of Bonfesso where we have rehabilitated this well. In the name of the Mayor and the Municipal Council, we want to translate our acquaintance with Living Water International, we don't know how to say thank you. Truly today we are rejoined and we will rejoin always so that someone who gives us water knows that they are giving us life. May God accompany you and your activities and give you the force to keep helping others. Thank you very much!"
A Living Water Burkina Faso team member stated, "There is openness to the Gospel and the planting of a church in this village. They have heard the testimony of other nearby churches in our movement. Communities like Nabere where we did our first water project 3 years ago, and just this last year drilled our first new well there." Before leaving the community, the team shared the Jesus film, Scripture and oral bible stories with community families.
