Rehabilitation Project
Upon completion of the project, our partner in the field reports...
Community Details
Grace. One women stated that because of the rehab of the pump "we have received grace in our village." What an amazing echo of the words of John 1:17b which states, "…grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (ESV). In a village dominated by animistic beliefs, Christ has come to the village through the means of safe water.
Prior to the rehabilitation of the pump, this community of 45 households had to use a hand-dug well, which caused the men, women, and children to become ill on a regular basis. Diseases such as typhoid, dysentery, malaria, and cholera commonly plagued the small village. The students in the primary school were not immune to the complications which arose from unsafe drinking water. Additionally, with no previous sanitation or hygiene training, the community’s practices, such as open defecation, only contributed to the problem of disease and disease transmission. Frustrated by the burden of unclean water, the community reached out to Living Water in person to get their broken pump repaired. Living Water responded!
Upon rehabilitating the old pump with a new India Mark II pump, the people were ready and receptive to receive lessons on hygiene and sanitation. There were 80 people (18 men, 38 women and 24 children) who received this training. They were happy to implement the changes, and are well on their way to making safe hygiene and sanitation practices the norm in Soussoubro. Additionally, the Water Committee of four men and two women will ensure that the pump remains functioning and safe water remains accessible for years to come.
Additionally, 240 heard the gospel of Jesus Christ after the pump was repaired! By giving water, for life, in Jesus’ name, this community has received grace through tangible water needed to sustain daily life, and they have heard of the grace of Christ, spiritual water, which is able to produce eternal life!
Hygiene Promotion
In order to achieve sustainable development, Living Water trains the community in proper and essential sanitary and hygiene practices. The community of Soussoubro was no exception. The Living Water team taught 80 people in the community through the Traditional Method, which is a participatory method. The community received lessons on germs, proper hand washing techniques, good and bad hygiene behaviors, water saving methods, proper care of the pump, and how to keep the water clean.
The community responded well! Everyone found that the hygiene training was very useful and important to everyone. They agreed to follow the training they received. They were excited to know that following these important lessons would help them to avoid unnecessary illnesses and achieve better health individually, and as a community. Additionally, there is now a water committee made up of four men and two women who will be responsible to make sure the pump does not fall into disrepair again. With safe and accessible water and a proper understanding sanitation and pump care, this community has the foundation needed to thrive for years to come!
Community Member Interview
Doli Fehirera, a 52-year-old farmer and housewife, was thrilled to see the new pump in the Soussoubro community. She said, "I salute everyone in the name of the village and the leaders! Feel welcomed to come again to this hidden village. There were critical problems in our village when the pump broke down. We had to drink from hand dug wells, which were not clean, for one year. This made us sick in our stomachs. Truly, we suffered because of a lack of clean water here. We asked for help many times over, but we received none – until today! Because of you, we have received grace in our village. Our suffering from unclean water is over, and we must say, 'Thank you to God!' and also thanks to those who contributed to this rehabilitation project."
Christian Witness
Because it is fruitless to save the body but not save the soul, Living Water always shares Christ at the community it reaches with safe water. The community of Soussoubro was also able to hear of the hope that is in Christ. In a community of 45 households, there were 30 men, 100 women, and 110 children who came out to hear about the well that never runs dry- Jesus Christ. The gospel was presented through the JESUS film and through reading from Matthew 5:1-10. There is no local church, so a Living Water evangelist shared Christ with the people in this “hidden village” of Burkina Faso. Although the people were attentive and interested, they struggle to let go of their traditional, animistic beliefs. They were very grateful for the opportunity to hear the message and are very responsive to both Living Water and the area partner, Dagara Church in association with Krista Law-yir Church. With a foundation of the gospel laid in Soussoubro, and a new entry point into the community through the new pump, the people have a future with Christ ever-present in their village, and Lord willing one day, in their hearts.
