A New Water Well

You probably have never considered water usage as a critical part of medical care. In western culture such an issue would never cross our minds. However, in developing countries water and water-related needs are a part of every facet of life. Due to the expansion of our medical facility in Arusha, Tanzania, the number of patients treated daily continues to grow and we have developed a very acute water shortage. Clean water is critical to hygiene and quality care at a medical facility and a lack of adequate municipal water was threatening our ability to handle the daily patient load. The need was so critical that the government had considered limiting the number of patients we could see, despite the pressing medical needs that abound in that community. This summer one of our visiting team members heard of this plight and immediately offered to pay the entire cost of having a well dug for the clinic. Wells are expensive and this was a very generous ands totally unexpected offer. We are happy to report that on the very first day of drilling we found an ample supply of clean safe water! Our visiting team members often provide the catalyst for future growth. We are thankful for the success of this project and for the donors who made it happen.

It Is Well!

2012 provided us with the opportunity to deepen our relationships, enhance our work, and learn more about the specific needs of our various projects around the world. At our orphanage for children with special needs in India, we recognized their critical need for a deep water well.  We could not exaggerate the importance of a well at this orphanage:

1. There was no clean drinking water readily available at the orphanage compound.
2. Purchasing sanitary drinking water was prohibitively expensive.
3. There was not enough water for basic laundry or hygiene concerns.
4. And there was not enough water to grow vegetables in order give the children a balanced diet.

There was no money budgeted for this need, nor were any donors identified as we looked at the New Year wondering how we could address this pressing need. Incredibly, during the first few days of 2013, a previously unknown donor stepped forward and offered to fund 100% of the drilling costs for a new well! We immediately transferred the funds to India and before the end of January, wonderful, clear, clean, and drinkable water abounded for our children.

Not only are we able to meet the previously mentioned immediate needs, but we are now able to teach the children the self-sustaining skill of farming! The well also allows us to provide water to many of the poor villagers that live within close proximity of our facility. It is such a blessing to see the passionate and generous response of our donors who time and time again come through above and beyond our own expectations.

A Special Place for Special Needs

Those of you who are familiar with all of New Hope Initiative’s projects might wonder why you haven’t heard anything regarding our orphanage for children with special needs in some time. Our last visit there was several years ago and we wanted to wait before sending an update. In September we visited the orphanage with a team from Sagemont Church in Houston, Texas. Our project in India is easily our most unique, as it diligently cares for children with both physical and mental challenges. The orphanage is small, as we are only meeting the needs of 15 children. This is a result of both funding issues, as well as the extra care required by the children.

The challenges these children face range from mild academic-related delays to extreme developmental issues that have rendered them totally incapable of caring for themselves. Some of the children have physical disabilities and one is hearing impaired (see Im(re)paired). Five of the fifteen orphans do not suffer from mental or physical challenges and serve as mentors and helpers to the more challenged children.

These five, all girls, were abandoned by their families who did not want to raise more female children. Abuse and other unspeakable horrors awaited them if left to a life on the streets. These young ladies, ranging in age from 12-14, are a great help to our facility.

Our goals for this center are to increase monthly funding so that we can add about 10 more children and to move our new director, a local named Jenny, from two days each week to a full time position.

Jenny has a degree in physical therapy and experience with children with special needs. She is doing an amazing job and we are incredibly happy that we added her to our staff of caregivers.

We also need a deep-water well on the property as all water is currently brought in by truck. A new well will cut operating costs, raise the level of care, and allow for farming. Not only will this improve the children’s diet, but give them valuable skills needed to survive.

The orphanage can be a challenging place. This is due to the extreme nature of the challenges these children face, and also the reality many of these children are discarded like trash because families believe they are a curse from the gods. However, no matter how great the challenges, it is awesome to see the difference we are making in the lives of these very special children. It is because of your continued prayer and support that we are able to serve this community.