Water accessibility projects in the Honduras and Tanzania are becoming reality, thanks to the Sister Water Project. Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis in Dubuque, Iowa, the BVM Sisters have chosen to support this project financially as a Jubilee gift during their 175th anniversary year.
Jubilee gift committee members Carol Marie Baum, Theresa Caluori and Pat McNamara sifted through suggestions from the BVM community at large regarding a Jubilee gift. Assisting meet the need for potable water in so many parts of the world was a recurring idea, "since water is essential for human life, safe drinking water is critical for healthy living," they said.
"We hope this opportunity to continue to recognize and share the gifts we have been so generously blessed with will in turn be a blessing for a larger part of our world. We continue to strive to see ourselves as one family, one planet and one creation."
The congregation is contributing $1,750.00 to the project, and inviting Sisters, Associates and friends to join in the effort.
Honduras
In Honduras, 50,000 children under five years of age die annually from water-related illness; 80% of all illness is caused by impure water. Rural parts of the country must rely on surface water full of parasites. Once a water system is in place, daily diarrhea declines 47%.
The solution: a mission team working with Honduran villagers near Esquias to provide a water system. Tasks include digging ditches, laying and connecting pipes, installing pumps and showing residents how to purify the water. A 30-member team will do this work the last week in November.
Tanzania
To improve water accessibility for rural Tanzanians, the Sister Water Project will provide funding for several above-ground water cisterns. This "rainwater harvesting" involves the collecting and storing of rainfall in strong, durable plastic containers called simtanks. They come in various sizes, holding from several hundred gallons to several thousand gallons.
The Sister Water Project will provide needed eaves and downspouts for selected buildings. During the months-long rainy season, rain will pour down on the roofs, to the eaves and downspout, and into the large enclosed simtank which has a spigot for access to the water. Four locations in the Rauya, Tanzania area have been identified as sites. Three are dispensaries and health centers.
Costs
Materials for a water system in Honduras and cistern in Tanzania each cost $5,000. Expenses for mission teams to travel to these sites are in addition — approximately $1,400 per person for Honduras.
How to Donate
Please make checks payable to:
Sisters of Charity, BVM - Sister Water Project
Mail to:
BVM Development Office
1100 Carmel Dr.
Dubuque, IA 52003
