Picture taken by Julie Tracy
On Saturday March 3rd. we did a test drill with our new well drilling rig. I am excited to report that this new unit met and surpassed our expectations. While we did not drill a well we drilled a test hole of about 16 feet. We encountered rock soon after the test drill began (approximately 8 feet of rock). The diamond bit cut through this rock layer with no difficulty at all. In Chad there is minimal rock to deal with as it is a marsh, sandy type soil, much like southern Alabama and Florida.
This trailer mounted rig has the potential to drilling hundreds of deep water wells. We estimate it will cost about $10,000.00 to ship this unit to southern Chad. The shipping container will cost an additional $2,600.00. The sooner we can get this unit to Chad, the sooner we can begin opening new wells.
Tim King and his wife Charlotte owners of Hydra Fab Inc., the company that manufactured this unit, came from southern Alabama to answer any questions and provide more information about their machines. Hydra Fab manufactures a smaller unit that we belief will also have an
Small unit to be donated by Hydra Fab Inc.
application in Chad. Tim surprised us all by telling us that he and Charlotte are going to donate one of their small rigs when we get ready to ship everything to Chad. They also pledged that they will provide a supply of spare parts for the machines as well, all at no charge. God truly blessed us in leading us to this company. Presently they have over 100 of their units now drilling wells in Africa.
The average cost of drilling a well in Africa is from $5,000.00 to $8,000.00. With our new machine we estimate that the cost of a well will run between $2,000.00 and $3,000.00, possibly less. Each well will meet the needs of about 1500 to 2000 people. A well reduces dramatically the 50% infant death rate in children under the age of 5, and reduces sickness and disease in village populations where 60% will be sick numerous times during the year because there is no safe water available.
Help us get these new units to Chad. Send your gifts to Hope Springs International, 118 Wessington Place, Hendersonville, TN 37075, or donate online at: http://www.hopespringsint.com.
Hope Springs International 