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Rural Empowerment Initiatives (REI) mission is to collaborate in the reduction of poverty through investment in rural areas and training of local people.

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REI believes that all people are created equal.
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Friday, April 18, 2008

Good News- Clean Water on its way

While I'm not sure how this is going to happen yet, I was convinced on this trip that we are moving in the right direction to help with clean water, irrigation of gardens, and training for hygiene in rural villages in Senegal. We were encouraged with our contacts in Senegal and their wiliness to see what we can do.
We had someone from Living Water International travel with us for a few days for recommendations. Here is an example of one report concerning a rural well.

-This hand dug well was in an area that floods during the rainy season. Sometimes the floodwaters cover the well and it has to be dug out again. The well was cemented all of the way to the bottom. The village leaders said the water would be too salty if the well were dug outside the flood plain area. Salt in the water is a huge problem in this area.
-This site could be improved somewhat if a cement cap were created that sealed the well and the Vergnet pumps re-installed, if in fact they were working prior to removal.
However, if the well breaks and there is no one to respond to repair it quickly, then there is strong concern that the villagers would remove the cement cap and revert back to using a rope and bucket.


This well irrigates a small garden. The garden has a fence around it to keep out intruders. in fact a young man was in this little 'hut' and his responsibility is to guard this treasure. I started thinking about this guys life. Here in this little hut this young guy has no TV,I-pod or book to pass the time. just him, the wind, the dust and time.



We are hopeful by years end that we will have something in place to provide some kind of assistance in Senegal that is sustainable,will provide village involvement, and that these works will give the glory to the One who it deserves.

Stay tuned...

1 comment:

  1. JM Eagle, the world's largest plastic pipe manufacturer, has launched a major initiative with Columbia University's Earth Institute to provide safer water to more than 11,000 of the poorest people in Senegal. JM Eagle has donated and delivered over $800,000 worth of high-strength polyvinyl chloride (PVC) water pipe which is being installed in several Millennium Villages-projects designed to end extreme poverty in rural communities throughout Africa. The company also looks forward to expanding its current work with the Earth Institute into many more Millennium Village projects over the next five years to bring both potable and non-potable water to some of the poorest people in the country.

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