Water Has Come to Jackson's Community

Jackson is from the Amugu Community. His parents died when he was just an infant, and he and his brothers grew up as orphans. They had to figure out a way to survive, so they started cultivating the gardens of other people. Over time, they saved their money and put it together to buy some cows. Things began to look up as Jackson used some of the money he made from his cows to marry his wife. He and his wife had ten children, but sadly, in 2001, Jackson’s wife died unexpectedly. He now lives with several of his children and grandchildren.

Jackson has gained the respect of the people in his community and they often look to him when problems arise. One of the problems that he has had no solutions for is his community’s plight caused by lack of clean water. Can you imagine having to walk nearly four miles for water? Not only did the people in Jackson’s community have to walk four miles for water, once they got there, the water came from a dirty swamp, filled with disease. On top of that, people from other communities were there, competing for the same dirty water.

Jackson recalls, “It was so painful seeing people struggle from one water source and not being able to do anything about it. I just had to pray to God to intervene, because it was beyond my control. It pained me so much to see pregnant ladies walking for those long distances and the rampant disease caused by the dirty water. The long- distance walks to go and fetch water in the swamp made life hard. These swamps were risky for our children. Plus most of our village people suffered from waterborne diseases.  The swamp that we share created misunderstandings between our villages. As a leader, I was between a rock and a hard place!”

Jackson praises God because of all the lives changed by the new water well provided by our great EWT Partners. With praise and thankfulness, Jackson now says, “There is love between our villages since we no longer struggle for the same water source. There is no more long-distance walking.  And it also has reduced illness related to bad water in our village!”

Jackson continues, “With God, nothing is impossible, as long as you ask Him and seek Him. The water well has taught me that God never forgets his people just like he didn’t forget the Israelites while in Egypt. It has also showed me that God will never give up on His people as long as His people don’t give up on Him.” Jackson continues to praise God by saying, “The water well has benefited not only my community, but also neighboring communities.  It has provided us with clean water—enough clean water for even other activities besides drinking!”

To all of you folks raised up by God to finance the well, Jackson says, “I would like to thank them so much. And also, if possible, tell them they can come and see the good work they have done for our community.”

Jackson, we praise God right alongside you “for the amazing things He has done in your community!”

by Gigi Johnston