Providing clean, fresh water to taps close to the homes of thousands of Ugandans is the aim of this year's World Develop Appeal launched this week by the Presbyterian Church.
"In Uganda there is plenty of water," explains Rev Katherine Meyer, the Presbyterian Church's World Development Appeal convener, "but people have to walk several miles up and down the mountainsides to fill their jerry cans several times a day. That takes up huge amounts of energy as well as time. Consequently people are tired, there is less time for tending the crops andlooking after their families, children miss school and hygiene and sanitation have a low priority. By piping water across the hillsides and bringing a safe supply of water right into their villages makes a huge positive difference to everyone's life."
The Presbyterian Church campaign called 'Let Justice Flow' is directing its World Development support through Christian Aid and Tearfund and much of the money raised this year will go to the Kigezi Water and Sanitation Programme based in south west Uganda.
This programme has developed 'water harvesting' techniques which catch rainwater off roofs or establish a safe supply from a local spring and channel it into tanks for piping across the hillsides to tap stands in the heart of communities or tosmaller tanks at people's homes.
Through tens of miles of plastic pipe, hundred of taps and thousands of storage tanks and jars clean, safe water is delivered to thousands of people who otherwise would have to spend many hours everyday carrying home something we take for granted but which is vital for life.
For Sarah Mwesigire who lives in the village of Nyabyumba near the regional capital of Kabale in south west Uganda the installation of a tank has put an end to the long tiring walks lasting for up to six hours a day to fetch water and she has more time to spend with her children Issac (3) and baby Precious (10 months). (See attached pic)
While her husband Denis is involved in installing water tanks, Sarah is responsible for growing the crops and looking after the animals where the ready access to water hasmade a noticeable difference.
Like most people she grows potatoes both for her family and to sell. While the rainfall is sufficient to grow the crop easy access to water means she now regularly sprays the plants keepingthem disease free and ensuring a much higher yield than before.
Another benefit of water on tap has allowed Sarah to keep a cow. Before it would have been impossible to carry enough water for both her family and the cow but now with water just a few yards away the cow can be well watered and its milk provides another source of nutrition for her growing family.
As well as providing water the programme has also given education about health and hygiene and supervised the construction of latrines and washing facilities. One measurable benefit is that cases of children with illnesses caused by waterborne infections have almost been totally eradicated.
"Providing a water supply has made a huge difference to our communities," says Rev Ruben Byomuhangi, project coordinator of the Kigezi Programme. "Aside from the practical benefits, the involvement of the community in the installation and the maintenance of thewater scheme has helped them realise that, with a little help, they can make a difference for themselves to their own lives and that of their families andvillages."
During the last seven years Presbyterians have donated over £9m to World Development projects around the world and various emergency appeals launched by the Moderator including responding to the earthquake in Haiti and the floods in Pakistan.
"Presbyterians are extremely generous when they see others in need," said the Moderator Dr Ivan Patterson at the launch of the appeal, "and I would thank them for all they contribute to show practically God's love to their fellow human beings. Last year many of us found how hard life could be when we lost our water supply for a few days. I have no doubt that Presbyterians will contribute generously to this year's appeal to give many people easier access to one of the basics of life that we take for granted."
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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