News Item: New Water Wells
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By Ann Hobson
LDS Church News
May 12, 2007
MAPUTO, Mozambique — Four new wells were opened in Boane, near Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, in February. The wells will serve four communities and a school with hundreds of children.
The wells provided needed water. They were dug under the direction of country humanitarian director, Elder John Dow, and his wife, Sister Marcia Dow.
Local contractor Joao Matsinhe built the wells. District Administrator Senora Crimilda Xavier celebrated with the community members and thanked Church representatives for the gift of clean water. Joao Matsinhe, a local contractor, translated proceedings into Portuguese from the local dialect.
Following speeches in Mwankombo village, officials took turns pumping the water to the cheers of community members. The well was encircled with colorful plastic 5-gallon cans waiting to be filled. The women later carried the buckets on their heads to their homes for drinking, cooking, washing, bathing and for watering gardens.
Native leaders presented gifts of local fruit and berries in gratitude, including two live chickens, to Elder Dow. The women invited guests to share their lunch of shema (made from ground corn), goat meat and French fries.
As visitors began leaving, the women spontaneously chanted, "Welcome, water. Thank you for water." Mr. Matsinhe said the women were grateful as they never expected to have a well so near their homes.
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