"Flame" articles: 1st of 3 abt. May'07 trip: Water of Life, by Tom Heller

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Water is our most basic need. During the Sierra Leone-Plymouth Partnership’s 2006 trip to Sierra Leone, it was discovered that the three villages totaling 5,000 people had only one protected water well and several unprotected wells. Repairing existing wells and digging new ones became a top priority. Our goal is to continue to measurably improve the water situation each year with the ultimate goal of assuring convenient access to clean water year-round for all 5,000 people. I was happy to be part of this effort on the May 2007 trip.

Many of us take water for granted, but imagine needing to take a vessel to a watering hole blocks from your home to dip for water, then transporting it home balanced on your head. During the dry season, you’d need to walk even farther – two miles to a stream or pond to get your water for drinking and washing. These

sources have various contaminants, and it takes tremendous effort and time to haul the water, but you have no choice. Worms and diarrhea, along with one of the world’s highest rates of child mortality, are an everyday reality.

Working closely with the village water committees and in-country experts, OneVillage Partners repaired three wells in 2006. In 2007, OneVillage Partners funded three new protected wells and

repairs of a flawed government well, adding four wells that now provide safe drinking water year-round. The United Nations and Sierra Leone government have built two additional wells. Each village now has three or four protected wells for an average of 1,700 residents – a tremendous improvement from only 12 months ago. We work closely with the village water committees so that people are trained to maintain the wells, assuring that the water will stay clean and available for decades to come.

Safe, clean water is the most effective way to improve basic health, especially among young children. Better health means kids can attend school more often and farmers can focus more time on growing the food their families need. Given the intense labor demands of their subsistence farming, saving 40 minutes with a convenient well – compared with walking two miles to a watering hole – is a huge productivity improvement.

Living with a family in the village and experiencing one of the world’s poorest countries was an eye-opening and life-changing experience for me. The people are warm, friendly, appreciative and eager to learn. Living without electricity, transportation, clean water and sanitation is the everyday existence for our village friends. They greatly appreciate the generosity of Plymouth and supportive friends. Our work together profoundly impacts both villager and traveler in wonderful ways. Consider a visit in 2008 with OneVillage Partners. We go with God’s love!