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7 wells in 10 days!

Author: SEM Contributor

On Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009, I completed my third trip to Sierra Leone, Africa. We commissioned wells in seven communities who were receiving clean, safe drinking water for the very first time. Every village, the response was amazing, highly emotional, and powerful to be part of. (Photo: Author – Pastor Darryn Scheske)

On this trip I traveled with a team from the Rotary Club of Fishers, Indiana, (FRC) including Rotary District Governor, Judy Hollander (District 6560, Central Indiana), FRC Immediate Past President, Tom Branum, Jr. and FRC Past President, Valory Myers.

Rotary International is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business professionals and community leaders. There are 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries. Members of Rotary clubs are known as Rotarians and I have been a proud to be a Rotarian for the last 8 years since Heartland Church began.

Our 10 day journey was highlighted by the dedication of seven wells; the inspection of previous wells; the building and strengthening of incredible friendships with the people of Sierra Leone; and topped off with a special and unexpected audience with His Excellency the President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma.

We inspected the three villages where we funded wells one year ago, installed by our cooperating partner, World Hope International (WHI). The impact was more than expected. We were very pleased at the record keeping, education, maintenance and community pride and involvement. There were many unexpected insights into how clean water is life-changing for communities.

In one village, the local chief explained since the installation of the well and because of the hygiene training they had received, they were not experiencing the outbreaks of Malaria and Cholera that were devastating surrounding communities. In that village not one child had died in the previous year!

Our team left with even greater appreciation for our cooperating partner, World Hope International (WHI). WHI is responsible for Well Construction, Hygiene and Sanitation Education, Community Coordination and Sustainability Training) WHI is highly respected and regarded by everyone we met.

Traveling with us was Mr. David Erickson, COO of WHI who introduced us to representatives from the highest levels of Government in Sierra Leone, including His Excellency the President of Sierra Leone, the Minister of Energy and Water Resources, as well as the Minister of Finance and Economic Development. All shared with us their respect and gratitude for Rotary, WHI and how our vision of 100 Wells by 2011 fits into their national master development plan.

Our general team consensus is that the people of Sierra Leone possess a level of hope and drive that will put their war years behind them and build a renewed country that will be what they want and dream it can be. Our help arrives at the perfect time, and is in harmony and support of their objectives for themselves.

We could not have asked for a better in-country partner, headed by WHI Country Director Mr. Saidu Kanu and his staff. They took amazing care of us, and are doing phenomenal work. We were humbled by their dedication and accomplishments.

In every village, we witnessed Muslims and Christians living side by side, working together on the well committees, and honoring each other. FRC Past President Tom Branum, Jr. wrote, “We have been more than pleased about how well the Rotary Ideals are mirrored by the work of World Hope, and the villagers themselves.”

In 2008 Heartland Church raised $150,000 USD in six weeks for a new water well drilling rig that can drill 40-50 wells a year. The Rotary Club of Fishers joined the cause in 2009 with a commitment to raise approximately $500,000 USD for 100 Wells by 2011.

In Sierra Leone:

Life expectancy is 42 years of age.
1 in 8 mothers die during childbirth.
Infant mortality is 1 out of 5 due to water born diseases.
70% of the population lacks access to a safe drinking water source.

THANK YOU to all our Donors, Supporters and friends of WaterIsLife! There is hope and vision for the future.

SAVE THE DATE: April 17th, 2010. World Premiere of our Feature Film Documentary on the water crisis in Sierra Leone.

by Pastor Darryn Scheske, Indiana, USA

Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!

7 wells in 10 days!

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