For many years, one phrase has been repeated like a refrain every time a new well is built in Africa: "Water is life." This time was no different - we provided yet another source of life-giving water, this time in Tanzania.
St. Monica's parish in Mizani is located in the Catholic Diocese of Singida, in central Tanzania. Most of the parishioners (as well as Tanzanians in general) are involved in agriculture (livestock, farming) or small business.
Access to clean drinking water is a major challenge for many people. Within the parish, poverty remains at an all-time high, with no signs of improvement. This leaves residents unable to finance the drilling of a new deep well on their own.
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At this point, it should be noted that the construction of deep wells in Tanzania is so much more difficult because, due to the hard ground, it requires specialized equipment, and this in turn increases the cost of drilling. Water must be sought deep underground and often lies beneath layers of rock. Each meter of drilling costs approximately US$95. If water is found at a depth of 100 meters, the cost of constructing the well is around US$9,500. However, if water is only found at a depth of 180 meters, the cost can rise to an astronomical US$17,100.
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We were asked to help build a deep well on the grounds of St. Monica's parish in Mizani by its parish priest, Fr. Patrick Myuku. In his letter to the Secretariat for Foreign Missions of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, he wrote:
"The water my parishioners are currently using is neither safe nor clean. Women and children travel long distances, struggling to find water for their families. The lack of water causes great suffering and affects both church life and social life, as many people spend a significant amount of time searching for it. Traditionally, it is women and children who suffer the most, due to tribal beliefs that consider collecting water their responsibility... Muslims make up the majority of the region’s population, with Catholics and followers of other religions comprising the rest. Our Diocese of Singida is committed not only to evangelization, but also to serving all people, regardless of their religion. This project will transform the lives of those who have been crying out for water. The water will be used for drinking, cooking, washing clothes, irrigating agricultural centers, and many other essential purposes."
For the construction of a well at St. Monica's Parish in Mizani, Tanzania, we donated PLN 49,400 from the "Water wells in Tanzania" project fund. Clean water was eventually reached at a depth of 120 meters. The well in Mizani has a capacity of 2.1 cubic meters per hour, which is equivalent to 21,000 liters of water per day.
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"This project will bear fruit for more than 5,000 people: women, children, men, youth, nuns, priests, and all those in need of this service. The lives of local people will be transformed - instead of wasting time searching for water, they will be able to devote it to service and other economic activities. We are confident that this well will save lives and improve the health of many who suffer from diseases caused by contaminated water, such as typhoid fever, bilharzia, and cholera. The project will also support the evangelizing mission of priests, nuns, and catechists, as many people will now be able to use the water for pastoral training and various workshops. This site will also greatly benefit local agriculture. In Tanzania, we believe that ‘MAJI NI UHAI’ (which means: WATER IS LIFE). Thank you!" - writes Father Patrick in a thank-you note sent to our Secretariat.
Thank you to all the Donors who supported the well construction project in Tanzania!
