16 NEW WELLS FOR DONO-MANGA, CHAD

February 7, 2011 by leeh 2 Comments

We received a picture of the first of 16 new wells being drilled in Dono-Manga, Chad. Funds donated at this time last year by the Madison Church of Christ and its satellite campus, NorthField Church of Christ were placed in trust with a major bank in the nation of Chad. We then joined a long line of previously arranged contracts to wait our turn. Progress was slowed again a few months later with the onset of the rainy season which makes Dono-Manga inaccessible due to impassable roads that often wash away and have to be rebuilt when the rains stop.

We are often ask how we are able to drill wells in this section of Chad for only $1000 each when in most parts of Africa they can cost upwards of $5000? The Chadian government pays a large portion of the expense for these new wells is the simple answer to that question. The relationships that we forged with the local government during the time we provided funds for the repair of 26 out-of-service wells opened doors for the government to agree to work with us on this well drilling program.

There are three separate groups of workers involved in the well process. The well is first drilled by one group. When they are finished a second group does the masonry work. They are then followed by the plumbers who bring the submersible pump, piping and foot pump.

Another well ready for the plumbers

The District Commander for Dono-Manga has been a tremendous partner in this whole process. He has even sent one of his own people for training to become qualified to do maintenance and repairs on all the old and new wells in Dono-Manga.

Each one of the new or repaired wells will provide water for about 2000 people for many years to come. During the three months before our first visit to Dono-Manga over 300 children had died because of the lack of safe clean water. In areas where we have repaired wells it is estimated that the death rate has dropped by as much as 80%. You can imagine the impact that these 16 new wells will have on other sections of this district.

30 more new wells are planned for the future to meet the total need of the 126,000 people of Dono-Manga. If you, your church or group would like to provide one of the last 30 wells for Dono-Manga under this present program contact us at: rabboniblog@yahoo.com.

Note the difference in water for baptisms. The water to the left is the same water they were drinking.