Category: Water Project

Life Giving Water

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by Brad Graber

One hot day, a thirsty little five-year-old boy came to our mission house at Ndjoko Punda. Mother gave him a drink of cold water from our refrigerator. That delicious cold water left such an indelible impression on his mind that he told me about it years later. He had never had cold water before.

This past year I took the opportunity to ask several Congolese to share the three greatest needs that exist for the average Congolese. Without exception the number one issue was “safe” drinking water.

We take water for granted. We assume our water is safe and we have no concerns. For millions of people in developing countries water is the source of life threatening diseases.

The World Health Organization estimates that safe drinking water could prevent 1.4 million child deaths from diarrhea each year.

80% of diseases in the developing world are caused by contaminated water.
1.1 billion people do not have safe drinking water.

One way to change this situation is through access to well water. Clean water leads to better health, more opportunities, and therefore, a way out of poverty.

We have searched for a drill to meet this need in remote locations. We have found one such tool in
The Village Drill.

Benefits of The Village Drill:
• Utilizes local labor and resources since it is human-powered
• Can bore a 6 inch hole up to 250 feet deep
• Most economical drill available
• Provides pride and ownership for each community
• Provides access to safe drinking water
For more information about The Village Drill please click on this link: http://www.villagedrill.com

Safe drinking water has the power to change lives, reduce disease and begin the rise from poverty. Along with the gift of safe water we can share the story of Living Water as Jesus did when he spoke with the Woman at the Well.

To help meet the need for village wells, please consider giving to Hope for Congo. Let us be your hands and feet for the Congolese people.

Please send your tax-deductible U.S. Dollar donations to:
Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIMM)
P.O. Box 744
Goshen, Indiana 46527-0744

Please send your tax-deductible Canadian Dollar donations to:
Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIMM)
440 Main Street
Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5

On your donation please indicate you wish your gift to be used to help Hope4Congo drill village wells.

© 2018 Hope4Congo

Safe Drinking Water

Safe Drinking Water
by Brad Graber

How would you like to spend 3 – 5 hours of your day collecting water for your family’s use?

Several studies show that women who live in rural areas of Africa spend a quarter of their time just fetching water. Plus the water they collect is not always safe to drink.

Hope for Congo has collaborated with Fred Suter and his Congo Water Project to assist communities with access to nearby potable water so that women and children do not need to spend so much time and energy fetching water for daily use.

Fred worked closely with Hope for Congo at Ndjoko Punda to install a ram pump at a spring located down a hillside deep in the forest. With the pump installed and underground pipe laid, this provides water to a nearby hospital and the village. Not only is the water more accessible, it’s also safe to drink.

The ram pump has operated non-stop for three years. This spring Fred will make a trip to Ndjoko Punda to check on the operation and condition of the installation. We hope to improve the delivery system and the volume of water produced.

Fred has also trained a small group of young, strong Congolese to use a hand-auger kit to drill water wells (plus install a hand pump) to provide potable water in other Congolese villages. This local team also designs and constructs gutter systems for roof water collection.

Hope for Congo purchased the first hand-auger drilling kit. We would like to purchase additional kits and equipment. This would provide additional communities with access to safe water.

Hope for Congo’s Goals include:
• Raise sufficient funds to develop an ongoing well drilling program
• Develop and improve water collection systems
• Develop a routine maintenance program for the wells
• Develop community financial support for the water systems

It is only through your generous donations that Hope for Congo can continue to walk alongside our brothers and sisters in Congo and bring hope to their lives.

Safe drinking water is a critical health issue.

Your donations are tax-deductible.

Make your checks payable to: Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission or AIMM
Designate your donation to: Hope 4 Congo and please indicate which project you wish to support. Monies sent to our general fund will be applied where needed.

Send your U.S. dollar Donations to:
Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission or AIMM
P.O. Box 744
Goshen, IN 46527-0744

Send your Canadian Dollar Donations to:
Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission or AIMM
440 Main Street
Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5

____________________

Thank you, Brad. Next week we will share the opportunities that exist through evangelistic youth soccer camps. Until then, please pray.

Pray Requests:
• Please pray about your involvement in Hope for Congo’s ministry.
• Please pray that a great awakening and revival would stir throughout Congo.
• Please continue to pray for peace in Congo.

© 2017 Hope4Congo

 

 

Saturday Afternoon Off

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Gravel from underground river

Dale writes: It is Saturday afternoon. We stopped drilling and took the afternoon off. We praise the Lord that we reached small gravel stones. This shows me that the underground river is close. I pray that we’ll reach water on Monday.

God is to get all the Glory.

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An afternoon off.

©2015 Hope4Congo

Searching for Water

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Moving drilling equipment to a new site.

Dale Beverly and Fred Suter made the trip to Congo this year. The purpose of the trip is to drill wells for safe drinking water.

Dale writes: We searched for underground water, but didn’t find anything. So we went across the Tshikapa River to another village that needs good clean drinking water. Found a large underground river that we can drill into. Will move drill equipment there tomorrow. It will take all day to move and get set up.

IMG_3003
Setting up equipment.

©2015 Hope4Congo

2015 Congo Trip

In Africa plans are always subject to change. It requires flexibility. This blog was scheduled to be shortened for the summer months. However, things are happening that require us to post here twice per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the next several weeks. Be sure to check back as things are busy for our ministry in Congo right now. Your prayers are very much appreciated.

Stan was sick earlier this year. His doctor recommended that he not make the trip to Congo this time. Dale Beverly took his place. Dale is a veteran missionary from Kenya, but was born and raised in Tanzania.

Dale and Fred Suter are working on a water project at Tshikapa right now. Your prayers are requested for them to successfully dig wells for the people.

The following information is taken from Dale’s notes to Stan.May 16 at 11:50
Am on plane. Adventure here we come.
Am in Paris to pick up more people. Then on to Addis.IMG_2951
Am in Kinshasa. Just arrived. They lost my 2 big suitcases.
Been to church and everywhere. Will send photos.
Am on taxi now, music blaring and crammed.
Can’t get any word on luggage.
Going to Tshikapa
Am waiting for taxi to small airport with Fred.
Am traveling light. Ha Ha.
Am ready for a wonderful adventure today with my Lord.
God bless,
Dale

That’s Dale in the land rover hat in the photo on the right. Looks like he found some clothes to purchase and help the local economy.

Fred Suter writes:
Both of us (Fred and Dale) purchased clothes in the local market. One of my suitcases is still in Kinshasa.I hope to have it later this week. We are talking with people about where to drill the next well. In the meantime, the pineapples and mangoes are outstanding.

We’ll post more on Thursday. Follow us so you won’t miss a single photo or story.

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The “new” used pants needed some adjustments.

©2015 Hope4Congo