Ethiopia - Gambella
Clean Water For An Entire Community
“This water is part of preaching the gospel, preaching the love of Christ.”
- The Rev. Jeremiah Maet Paul, Bishop of the Diocese of Gambella.
Women from an Ethiopian village are able to draw clean water from a well for their families.
Grant Amount: $143,000 | Lives Impacted: 14,500
The Story…
Gambella, in Western Ethiopia, is one of the oldest towns in the country, and also one of the most cut-off and desolate places in Ethiopia. Most families work in agriculture or cattle rearing, and are dependent on local water sources for their livelihoods. While water is available in rivers and groundwater sources, contamination has led to a prevalence of water-borne illness that often prove fatal, especially for children.
The Anglican Church in Gambella is committed to bringing life-giving water to the region through a new deep borewell located on the grounds of Good Shepherd Cathedral. The well will provide safe water for thousands, opening new opportunities for the diocese to offer training in hygiene and sanitation and support livelihoods. This gives the Church a clear testimony of the good news of Christ who offers the living water of the Gospel - and the church is growing! Our partner Bishop Jeremiah reports that a revival is sweeping the community and many young people are coming to faith.
The diocese is excited to offer this water to everyone - regardless of faith or tribe - showing people that the love of Christ extends to everyone. They hope this borewell is one of many which will be a long-term source of peace-building in a region where water scarcity has led to conflict. The clean water provided through this project will enable the Church to be a source of both spiritual and physical health for the region.
"I have been suffering from stomach pain due to the infection I got from drinking unsafe water. . . I am grateful to ARDF for providing clean water which will save many lives. God bless you abundantly."
– Mary Manytap Reath, resident of Gambella and member of Good Shepherd Anglican Church
– Mary Manytap Reath, resident of Gambella and member of Good Shepherd Anglican Church
You can help!
Cost Breakdown:
$70 covers the cost of water for a household of 7 people.
$989 covers the cost of water for 100 people.
$49,738 covers the cost of drilling the boreholes, supplying and installing the casing, the electrical pump, and test pumping and water analysis.