Dear Disciples Women,
Imagine what life would be like if you could not go to the kitchen sink, turn a faucet, and have access to water for cooking, cleaning, or drinking. Imagine what it would be like to have to walk for several miles to find potable water and then make the return trip home carrying heavy pails of this essential fluid. How would you need to modify your habits? What would you need to cut out of your day to make the long trek on foot to a stream to bring water back to your home?
For many in the Congo this is the reality of their lives. Women’s and girl’s days are structured by the necessity of obtaining water, something we generally take for granted.
According to the Disciples4Water website:
The global water crisis claims 3.4 million lives a year as 388 people die every hour of waterborne illnesses. 44% or approximately 171 of those who die are. Children. This means a child is dying every 21 seconds of diseases that are preventable when clean water is available to their families.
In a world where 780 million people lack access to clean drinking water, Disciples Women of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in IL and WI (CCIW) have chosen to name Disciples4Water as our 2019 mission project. Partnering with Global Missions and local communities, the Disciples4Water project brings hope, pride and a source of income to local communities in the Congo by partnering with local people and equipping drill teams with the skills and tools needed to bring clean water to the population. As of May 2018, Disciples4Water has drilled 69 wells in the Equateur Province, DRC, providing water for over 23,000 people. As of May, 2018 they were planning 5 additional wells in Basankusu, a remote village accessible via the Congo River. To accomplish this the team will spend 6 weeks working with local villagers.
Kicking off our efforts at the Spring Gathering in May of this year, Disciples Women in CCIW have aised funds to pay for one well ($1800) and are on our way to fund a second. Our goal is to provide three wells. These wells will provide potable water for over 900 people and make a difference in the lives of our partners and friends in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
We are inviting you to assist us in this important project by making a donation to CCIW Disciples Women Disciples4Water Project. Donations can be sent to CCIW at 401 West Jefferson, Bloomington, IL 61701. In the memo line of your check please write DW Disciples4Water Project. We will be accepting donations until December 31, 2019.
Your assistance in this project will save lives and provide hope in the lives of many. It will create opportunities for the women, children, and men who live in the villages that will receive the wells that we are funding.
Thank you in advance for your participation in this project
Disciples Women’s Ministry Leadership Team of CCIW