Ugandan children shouldn't die from drinking water

7 year old Erisa sadly died in May because of bilharzia, a deadly disease contracted from a parasitic flatworm found in the lake. He was a vibrant little boy on fire for Christ. He used to walk through the fishing landing stage where he lived, fearlessly talking about Jesus, hence he was nicknamed “Pastor”. For several months he was passing bloody urine coupled with high fevers but like most inhabitants, his parents didn’t really know much about the deadly disease and so resorting to a few pain killers and local herbs.  

Shortly after the death of her son, Immaculate started experiencing genital lesions and bleeding. In addition she is lame in one leg and finds it extremely difficult and painful to carry a jerry can of water from the lake to her home. She withdrew her oldest son from school so he could stay home and help her with the heavy work especially fetching water.

Mission4Water drilled two wells at the landing site, one of which is conveniently located next to Immaculate’s home. “This well has been drilled especially for me! God has answered my prayers,” she exclaimed as the Mission4Water team handed over the wells to the residents.

Since then, her oldest son Mutebi Godwin has gone back to school. God has been so gracious that Godwin got a bursary in a nearby school and for the first time since his sibling died he is free to continue his education.

It is seemingly simple acts of generosity like this one that completely transform individual lives and change entire communities. We give God the glory.

Young children are the most vulnerable, they can easily fall sick from water-born diseases like cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A and dysentery. Even diarrhoea can be a killer.  “It just breaks my heart to see how some people are forced to live” Sue Morgan, Founder of Mission 4 Water says.

The Mission 4 Water drilling team of young men drillers, many of whom are orphans, have just finished borehole number 137! This latest borehole is in a small village, about 20km from Mpigi town, in central Uganda. Previously the 154 children from the Primary School, located on the outskirts of the village, used to walk 1km down the hill to fetch water in jerrycans from the swamp, three times a day. This dirty water was then used to prepare meals, wash clothes and bathe themselves. It was even used for drinking. The same swamp was also used for grazing animals and was home for some venomous snakes. The head teacher told us that she always feared of the safety for the children as they ventured down to fetch water. It was worse in the rainy season since the runoffs made the water muddy, and the banks of the dug-out watering hole became very slippery. Some children had slipped in and almost drowned.  

We thank all those who have donated through GlobalGiving which enables Mission 4 Water to provide more clean and safe water for such precious children.

The Ugandans have a saying “Water is life”, and how true it is!  Thank you for giving new life to these lovely and appreciative children. God bless you!

There are many more requests in line, so please continue to give generously. Together we can make a difference!