Makupo Development Group thanks you! Zikomo Kwambiri

We are pleased to announce that people of Makupo Village have been drawing fresh, clean water from a well that you helped install, a few short steps of their homes.

Our group organised a fundraiser in June of 2004 to support the efforts of the people in Makupo Village to become self-sufficient and productive. Friends and family contributed generously. Providing water touched a chord in people’s hearts and we quickly raised about half the amount needed. Since then Nellie has been sewing and selling comforters, the Vanier College library has been selling used books and the Ontario Public Service Employees (OPSEU ) Social Justice Fund have given us the means to complete the funding we needed.

In August, they were supposed to be drilling in Makupo, and we were waiting with bated breath. Each delay depressed us, fearing that we would lose one more year.

But then came the first picture of a hose snaking out of pipe stuck in the ground.

It may not look very impressive, but it was Makupo’s entry into a new way of life. 

The rest of the process went without a hitch. Within two weeks the concrete cap and pump had been installed and a run off drain and counter with wash basins had been built.

The smile on Nambewe’s face tells the story of how much easier life is carrying water only 10 to 30 meters instead of 1½ kilometers.

The drain and wash stand ensure that contaminated water flows away from the bore hole itself and doesn’t contaminate the fresh clean water that comes straight from the ground.

The contractor struck water at 15 metres of depth and Clement made sure that they continued drilling until they reached 45 metres to be sure to have water available even when the water table falls during the dry season.

We do not have a picture of the overall structure, but it is identical to this one that Clement helped install in Lyness’ village near Karonga in the north.

Needless to say, everyone in Makupo Village is excited with this new development as are the family here in Montreal who have put their hearts into getting this project off the ground.

Our cousin Miriam wrote to us after a recent visit for a funeral in the village:

… on behalf of Makupo/Namumba clan let me take this opportunity to thank you and those who helped  with funds for the  drilling of  the bore-hole at the village.  For the first time there was order at the village.  I mean water is life!!  The empowerment of the … women was self explanatory as they carried on cooking for the masses.  We all bathed in the morning!  My first time ever to bath at a funeral at home!!!  Thank you so very much.  Am sure even the resting souls … in their own way are also watching and appreciative of all that you continue to do.  God bless everyone involved.  Thank you …

We are extremely grateful to the many people and organisations who supported our efforts and have so patiently stood by us as this project took a painfully long time to reach completion.

Thank you everyone.