Sister Water Project completes 500th Tanzanian well

The Sister Water Project of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Dubuque recently completed installation of its 500^th well in Tanzania, Africa.  

     The well was completed on March 25 in the village of Kwakibwembwere in Tanzania (population: 550) and was constructed by the Sister Water Project partner Safe Water for Life and Dignity (SWLD).  Six young men attending the Salvatorian Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Morogoro, Tanzania started the non-profit SWLD with the aim of building solidarity with people in rural communities and working together to create life transforming water projects.

      “Each well has a story to tell. Each village forms a water committee. Those stories and the stories of our donors are what move us to continue this work. We have received donations from people in every state in the United States. We have been blessed to partner with SWLD in Tanzania and receive the support of so many organizations and donors for the Sister Water Project,” said Sister Maureen Leach.  “To have completed 500 wells is a huge milestone. Access to safe water and sanitation are human rights fundamental to health, dignity and prosperity. Having safe water changes everything for people. Waterborne diseases go down. Children can attend school. Adults have more time to provide for the needs of their families. Having water for basic hygiene and sanitation honors the dignity of the person.”

      The Sisters of St. Francis instituted the Sister Water Project in 2006 to bring safe water to villages in Tanzania and Honduras.  In addition to the 500 wells in Tanzania, over 50 water systems have been completed with the support of the Sister Water Project in Honduras.

      For more information on the Sister Water Project, visit www.osfdbq.org/sisterwaterproject.

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