Our water project in Tanzania – Part 2: A well for Mbongwa

A few weeks ago, we reported on our water project in Tanzania. The project was initiated by our founding member and former board member, Pastor Manfred Weida, who, along with his wife, is very actively involved in Tanzania. The well is now complete. Pastor Weida sends us the following words of greeting and thanks:

"Mbongwa is a small Anglican parish on a hill near the capital, Dodoma. The church has been there for some time and was previously served by the mother parish in the neighborhood. A year and a half ago, Petro Mataligana was appointed by the Synod as the first pastor of the newly established parish."

The parish council, priest, and deacon have decided to build a rectory and dig a well next to the church. Since Mbongwa is situated on a hill, one has to go down into the valley to get water. A bucket of water costs 100 Tanzanian shillings (3.5 cents). The water is delivered by boda-boda (motorcycle taxi), which costs an additional 1,000 shillings, or 35 cents. An expert report confirmed that there is plenty of water directly next to the church at a depth of 180 meters. A cost estimate was then prepared: 15 million shillings.

Last year, after the Easter service, I promised to ask for support in Germany. The congregation was to raise 10% themselves. So, €4,800 was needed. When Father Lourdu heard about this project, he decided to join forces with the board of the Arul Trust eV support association. Upon my arrival in March, I was able to present Father Mataligana with €4,800. The adventure could finally begin. The large drilling rigs arrived. But at a depth of 180 meters, there was no water. We decided to drill further. At 202 meters, we were overjoyed: plenty of good water. The pipe was laid, the pump connected. Then the small water pumping station was built. The 5,000-liter tank was installed on the roof. The project will be officially inaugurated at Easter.

The parish will sell the water: a bucket for 3.5 cents, excluding transportation costs. The pastor's and deacon's wives will sell the water. A watchman has been hired. 25% of the proceeds will go towards the very meager incomes of the pastor and deacon, 10% will be for sales, and 5% will go to the watchman. The remainder will go to the parish and serve as a reserve for future repairs.

The church community is overjoyed with this ecumenical help from faraway Germany and says: Asante sana! which means: thank you very much!