Project 2019-004

funded may 14, 2019

Kwaria Village is an impoverished rural village in Kapoeta State of South Sudan, which is the “newest” country in the world. South Sudan gained independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011 as the outcome of a 2005 agreement that ended Africa’s longest-running civil war. Made up of the 10 southern-most states of Sudan, South Sudan is one of the most diverse countries in Africa. It is home to over 60 different major ethnic groups, and the majority of its people follow traditional religions.

Our partner has been serving in what has become South Sudan for 12 years. The people living here are the Toposa people, an ethnic people who are either herders or subsistence farmers. Christianity has “taken hold”, as the Toposa have begun an active discipleship movement, with more than ten bible study groups being formed in neighboring villages.

They do not currently have a clean water source. For water, they trek to a river that, depending on the season, is dry, which is most months of the year. During the dry months, they have to dig shallow wells in the sand to get water. The more the land dries, the deeper they must dig. For those in Kwaria Village, the distance to this current water source, the river, is 1.5 miles.  For other neighboring villages, it is further. The closest bore-hole is almost 3.75 miles away.

The river water source is contaminated. People step in the water as they collect it for drinking, cooking, and household use. Animals share this water with human beings and as a result, the water is further contaminated. Typhoid as well as cholera are common in these villages. Recently, Kwaria had a cholera outbreak and four people died.

This project will provide clean drinking water and, as a result, reduce water-borne diseases. It will also improve their economy because they will not spend as much on medication and lost time being sick. The time spent to fetch water will be reduced, allowing more time for women to take care of their families. Kwaria Village has a population of 1,200, but it is expected that the number of people affected by this well could triple because of other nearby villages who also lack safe, clean water.

update december 2, 2019 (delay)

The Kwaria Village well project was funded on May 14, 2019 after our careful review of the Project Funding Request submitted by our partner, Heaven’s Family. The rainy season in South Sudan started soon after the project was funded and our partner (with our complete agreement) decided to delay drilling until after the rainy season ended. While we are always anxious to get our funds working quickly, we likewise do not want to waste funds or cause projects to be more costly in our haste to get fresh clean water to those who desperately need it. Affirming that the decision to delay the project was wise, our partner had some of their ministry partners visiting the area in early October and they reported that the roads were impassible due to flash flooding and excessive wetness. It just is not possible for heavy trucks to move about until the ground becomes sufficiently dry. In fact, there are reports of a drilling rig that tried to make a trip for a well project (not ours!) and has been stuck in this area, for months.

The rainy season is finally drawing to a close and the dry season is arriving, albeit abnormally late. The Kwaria Village project is scheduled to be drilled in January. Originally, we were hoping for end of November-December, but the rainy season lasted longer than normal. The reason to wait until January is to give the ground plenty of time to dry and to allow the water tables to stabilize for drilling to the correct depth. While we are frustrated that we were not able to immediately get water to the people of Kwaria Village, we want to make wise choices with the funds you have entrusted to us.  You will hear from us again as this project progresses!

completed december 21, 2020

The project is complete. The community of Kwaria, South Sudan is now drinking clean, safe water!

Water was a huge problem for the people of Kwaria Village – an impoverished rural village of South Sudan. There is a growing church planting and disciple-making movement among the Toposa ethnic group who live here. Christian disciples from this village have started more than 10 Bible study groups in their neighboring villages. But, they suffered greatly for clean water.

 They drank surface water from seasonal rivers during rain season and from hand dug wells during dry season. It was very hard work searching for water and very long distance to walk for water – about 1.5 miles one way. And, the water was all highly contaminated causing illness and death from diseases like typhoid and cholera.

Thanks to your generous gifts, a deep well has been drilled to provide clean, safe abundant water for the entire community! The people are rejoicing and giving thanks to God. Health improved immediately! No longer do women and children need to spend all day searching for water…and sometimes finding none.

Testimony of one of the women on behalf of the women: “We women were the ones affected most. We are the bread winners yet our families could sleep hungry because of spending time to fetch water. Our husband’s could come home asking for food, our children crying, some of us mistreated by husbands who don’t understand. God bless you who donated this well. … Our church members will now attend church on time. God bless you for your generosity.”

Testimony of Cosmo Lokenei, a chief in Kwaria: “Before we got this well there was too much sickness, cholera killed some of us and our children. Ten or more people had to wash their hands in one basin. Our women went long distances to fetch water. Evil men have done much evil to them that it is a shame to mention. Thank you for saving our society.”

On behalf of all the lives you have changed and lives you have saved, thank you so much!