“Thank you for repairing this well; at least now we can start a nutritious community garden. This is real development.” — Mr. Banda

Mr. Banda, the Kalumba Village Head in Zimbabwe, could not hide his excitement after local Unto^® team members repaired his people’s well. The Mudzi District, where he lives, is home to five large villages and a primary school. Mr. Banda, along with thousands of others, is a peasant farmer who struggles to keep his crops alive during Zimbabwe’s harsh drought season.

He told our team, “All my crops in the field have failed, and I have nothing to feed my family. My village also expects me to feed them during these hard times.”

Without access to an adequate water source, crops began to fail and many cattle were lost. Thousands of people suffered from malnutrition.

Water became so scarce that people walked 5-8 kilometers (3-5 miles) each day to the nearest river or dam. Children often had to leave school to fetch water for their families. Even after so much work, the water source they relied upon was unsafe for drinking and caused cholera outbreaks and other waterborne diseases across Mudzi.

When in-country team members heard about the situation, they helped local residents repair wells in the district’s five villages. Since then the entire Mudzi community has benefitted from a reliable, clean water source.

Community leaders no longer worry about waterborne diseases. Parents can send their children back to school. Families can plant crops and water livestock, enabling them to provide for basic needs and build a brighter future.

Repairing the community’s wells opened doors for local staff members to build relationships and share about the eternal hope of Jesus. After each well opening villagers gathered to hear about Jesus. Staff members also had the opportunity to talk with more than 800 students and teachers at the Vhombodzi Primary School. Two churches asked the staff team to show a film about Jesus and assist them with establishing new churches.

When you give to provide safe, clean water, the impact of your generosity continues long after the wells are finished. Your generosity continues to relieve suffering, restore dignity, and reveal hope to people in the toughest places.

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