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Ethiopia: Water Supply Inauguration |
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Scritto da Fr. Jean-Marie Bilwala-Kabesa, Imc
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 In his encyclical: “Deus Caritas est.”, one of the main points expressed by the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI is to combine the pastoral activities and the social. The Pope’s idea made me to think about the famous and wonderful theory of a French Theologian, called Claude Geffre, which has a successful input in our lives. Claude Geffre says that the theology must be “hermeneutic”, which means, the contextualization of the Word of God, taking into account the reality of the people up to give some practical solutions to their problems, needs. That is why that theory is a force to be reckoned with.
As was stated above by Claude Geffre; on October 26th 2007, we inaugurated one Water Supply in our mission (Wonji), in particular in the village called UFURA AGEMSA. This village belongs to our missionary area. In the above-mentioned village, it was a big problem to find safe water. People used to travel more than 10 kilometres on foot to look for water in the small town called SIRE. After being aware of the problem, pain, need, suffering of our Sisters and Brothers in UFURA AGEMSA, Wonji Catholic Church, decided to come to the population’s rescue, providing Safe Water. We knocked on door of several organisms requesting the financial support. Fortunately, only CRS (Catholic Relief Services) encouragingly answered back.
UFURA AGEMSA Water Supply has been under construction since November 2006 in collaboration with local authorities’ water resource offices. The project was funded by CRS (Catholic Relief Services). The major components of the water supply project are construction of one 25m3 service reservoir, four public fountains, 6.2 km pipe laying, four manholes, 12 pipe supporting pillars and 6 Anchored block. A total of 4779 peoples have got access to the safe water. It is a great Joy to know that the local communities and authorities are really involved in taking care of it. Each household is contributing a monthly amount of money which will be needed for maintenance and other expenses. We need to empower the people so that they become themselves responsible for their lives. Alright! The Chinese have already stated their position on this issue, saying: “Give me a fish and I eat for a day. Teach me to fish and I eat for a life time.” May Almighty God, keep on blessing our missionary work! Amen. |
