Julien's Journal March 2016 (Volume 41, Number 3) | Page 26

How to Become Involved
If someone belongs to a group or organization
that invites guest speakers to their meetings,
the SWP has volunteers who would welcome
the chance to share about the project. They
invite people to become aware of water usage
and share about the need others have for clean
water.
SWP accepts donations towards this project.
No donation is too small. They are grateful
for the $1 and $5 donations as well as larger
amounts. It’s also important to know that 100%
of all money donated is directed towards SWP
to help bring clean water to those in need.
People may want to bring this project to their
church, school, or organization and help raise
funds for SWP. There are brochures available
to share with your organization.
And SWP always welcomes prayer support.

Ngo’ngoandu:
Villagers in Ngo’ngoandu,
Tanzania rejoice at the
installation of a Sister
Water Project well in
November 2015
The initial goal was to raise $42,000 and to
send a group of volunteers to dig trenches
and build tanks in Africa. Ten years later,
the Sister Water Project continues to
thrive. Over 100 wells and 10 water system
projects have been completed and are still
operating. According to Sister Kathy Knipper, Sister Water Coordinator, the desire
to provide clean water to people in need
remains strong.
“The Sister Water Project has led us far beyond where we originally imagined going.
The project has been a source of inspiration for many and a concrete gesture of
effective solidarity with people who lack
a basic necessity for life. We are proud of
our community commitment and grateful
for all those who have joined us in the effort. The continued need is immense, the
challenge remains, and our commitment is
unwavering.”
What makes the project so successful is
that the group uses a very basic type of
well. There are no mechanical parts, no
24  ❖  Julien’s Journal  ❖  March 2016

Contributed by the Safe Water for Life
and Dignity

machines used to dig, and no inaccessible
equipment. All of the work is manual labor
and the villagers are involved in every step
of the process. Because of this, every well
that the SWP has funded continues to be
maintained by the local people, and as a result the knowledge stays local and each well
continues to work. There’s ownership by all
involved to continuously provide water for
the community.

Since that time, Gilligan has visited Tanzania, Africa, made friends with people
halfway around the world, and helped in
his small way to put a face on to this huge
global issue for friends, family, and fellow
parishioners here in Iowa.

Support of the SWP, however small, is a
critical part of its success. The project is
committed to protecting the precious resource of water, to advocate for everyone’s
right to clean water, and help make water
accessible to the most vulnerable.

Gilligan is heading back to Africa this summer again to spend time in [