Many of the health problems throughout the underdeveloped world are water-related. This is especially true in the rural areas of Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia, Africa where the people suffer from dysentery and other water-borne diseases. Most of the villages depend on surface water collected from open ponds and water holes similar to the one pictured here.
Ord residents Diane and Alan Hughs are taking part in this mission. With more on this is Alan Hughs who spoke with KNLV about the trip and a meeting they are holding in Ord this Thursday.
MARIAN MEDICAL MISSION NEWS WITH ALAN HUGHS
It costs approximately $400 to install a shallow well. That only comes to a little over one dollar per day for a year! This is because the wells are built in cooperation with the villagers. The wells are self-help projects. Marion Medical Mission only provides what they cannot; the pipe, the pump, the concrete and some trained labor. The villagers make the brick and supply much of the labor. Each village signs a contract agreeing to pay an annual maintenance fee so spare parts are available.
Inscribed on the concrete top slab of every well Marion Medical Mission installs is “Glory Be To God” in both English and in the local language. In Chitumbuka, this is “Uchindami Kwa Chiuta”. After the pump is installed but before the well is turned over to the village, a dedication ceremony is held, with a prayer being offered by one of the villagers, thanking God for the well and asking Him to bless the village and the new well.
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