CHICAGO, IL (March 22, 2013) – A number of clean water projects sponsored by the Evangelical Covenant Church and its affiliated ministries are providing a source of safe water for people living in various parts of the world and serve as a fitting tribute in honor of World Water Day, which is observed each year on this day, March 22.
World Water Day was first recognized by the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. It serves as one way of focusing attention on the importance of fresh water and advocating for the sustainable management of fresh water resources.
It is estimated that 780 million people do not have access to safe, clean drinking water.
The Covenant is involved in a number of projects around the world, including Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Kenya.
Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo is one area where young people attending Covenant camps this summer will have an opportunity help make a difference by helping to provide clean water and access to better sanitation and hygiene in Gemena, located in Equateur Province.
“Having clean water creates a safer, healthier, and more vibrant community for children in particular,” says one project leader. According to UNICEF, some 4,500 children die each day from unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation facilities. Countless others suffer from poor health, diminished productivity and missed opportunities for education. The most vulnerable and likely to die from unsafe water and lack of sanitation are children under the age of five.
The clean water and sanitation projects supported by the Covenant in partnership with various ministries in Congo will provide:
- Water Testing – Each viable water source will be tested to be certain the water is clean and that the source will continue to provide water, even during the dry season.
- Capping of Springs – A ‘spring box’ will be built to capture and contain water, to avoid contamination from agricultural runoff, rain water, and animal or human waste. This is a cost-effective way to provide drinking water to individual homes as well as the entire community.
- Education – Teaching effective sanitation and hygiene is important for the community of Gemena to manage and care for the WASH systems being put into place. Education will ensure the continued health of the water sources and the community.
Click here to learn more about these projects, and click on the following links to view photos:
Ethiopia
Covenant World Relief is working in Gonbisa Kussaye to provide water points and a well to a community that relies on a muddy stream for its daily water supply. The stream is also used by animals for drinking water. So, many times the goats and cows are in the river getting water and stirring up the river bed at the same time the women are getting their water for cooking and drinking.
Mothers and daughters walk several kilometers each day to fetch water for their families. This keeps many of the girls from attending school. The lack of access to clean water also means this community is constantly struggling with diseases and constantly devoting multiple hours a day to a water-gathering task that should only take minutes. They are trapped in a cycle of poverty, illness and a lack of opportunity.
Click here to learn more about these projects, and click on the following links to view a compelling video, view photos and donate:
South Sudan
Many people in South Sudan have no reliable source of clean drinking water. Through the Evangelical Covenant Church of South Sudan, wells are being dug and placed in strategic places to serve entire communities.
Click here too learn more about the projects, and click on one of the following links to donate to the project or browse the Covenant Cares catalog for more ways to support these ministries:
Kenya
In Kitengela, the Kenyan Covenant Church has created a water well to provide water to the community. With the profits from this small business, the church is able to provide funds for the education project that benefits Congolese refugees who have joined the community. This water project is not only providing clean, safe water for the community, but is providing for the education of some of the most vulnerable children in the area.
Click here to learn more about the projects, and click here to access a blog of interest.
Click here to learn more about the efforts of the United Nations to provide clean, safe water and improve sanitation and human health.
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