What is the most crucial basic necessity for humans besides oxygen? Water! Without water, no life on earth can be sustained. Clean drinking water is imperative for healthy living. Every cell in the human body (from the simplest to the most complicated) consists of 70% water.
Africa appears blessed with abundant water resources: rivers like the Nile (the world’s longest river) and Congo and large lakes such as Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria (the world’s second largest lake). After Australia, Africa is the actually the second driest continent. Millions of Africans have no access to clean water. Nearly 51% of the people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. With these facts in mind, TWR is committed to making a difference to people’s lives though their wholistic* projects.
In Swaziland a large proportion of rural households survive on subsistence agriculture. Due to climate changes, the region is affected by a severe drought which means that many people are starving as they are unable to grow sufficient crops. The worst affected groups are orphan families. Less crop yields, lack of drinking water, bush fires and increased livestock death rates are but a few of the several effects of drought.
Recently the people of Mafutseni, a small town in Swaziland, received a great gift through the work of TWR-Africa, Voice of the Church and the generous donations of Grace Walk Ministry – they received food packages (which we hope will sustain them for a couple of months) and also a well to supply clean, safe drinking water and water for their gardens.
The town of Mafutseni is severely affected by the drought and many families, especially orphan families, are without basic food and water supplies. The first phase of the Mafutseni Project entails food distribution to the needy (approximately 850 families received food aid). Many of these people are families who have taken in orphans who were left behind mostly through AIDS-related deaths.
Phase two of the Mafutseni Project is to drill wells (at least five are needed) over the next two years. This will provide a source of clean and safe drinking water as well as a means for these people to water their crops and so become independent. The elders and citizens of Mafutseni will ensure that the wells are properly used and maintained.
Grace Walk Ministries, under the leadership of Steve McVey in conjunction with TWR-Africa and Voice of the Church are not only tackling the spiritual aspect of the problems in Mafutseni, but also the physical needs of these people through food distribution and the provision of clean water. Along with broadcasts of the life-changing message of grace through Jesus Christ this community can now use the wells to assist farmers and families in becoming self-sustaining and living lives full of hope.
Interesting facts on water:
- Roughly 70% of the human body is composed of water
- At birth, water accounts for 80% of an infant’s body weight
- The earth is a closed system, meaning that it rarely loses or gains matter. The same water which existed millions of years ago is still present today
- Pure water has a neutral pH of 7 (it is neither acidic nor alkaline)
- Approximately 85% of U.S. residents receive their water from public water facilities. The remaining 15% supply their own water from wells or other sources
- Of all the earth’s water 97% is found in oceans or seas, 2% is frozen and therefore unusable and only 1% is suitable for drinking water
Information sourced from:
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF): The Facts on Water in Africa
- www.allaboutwater.org
Published 31 October 2008 |
