CRWRC's response to the crisis in Sudan has been ongoing since 2002, partnering with 'World Relief', a US NGO. Millions of Sudanese have been displaced from their homes and villages and live in IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps, lacking adequate food, water and sanitation.
Jack and Ellly Dalmaijer of Alberta, Canada spent 5 months in 2005 on behalf of CRWRC and the Canadian Food Grains Bank to assist in its programs of relief in Sudan. Here is one of Elly's stories.
A Water Story to Chew On
I finally know what it means to live in a desert—it means sand in my bed, sand in my food, sand in my computer’s mouse. It means almost unbearable heat. But for my husband Jack and myself, working on a Christian Reformed World Relief Committee/Canadian Foodgrains Bank project in West Darfur, it does not mean a long trek across the shimmering sand to get water. The water for our staff is delivered by a donkey which makes the 6 km return trip to the local well several times a day.
During the past twenty months of civil strife, the armed militia known as the Janjaweed often used a simple but effective way to drive people from their villages: destroy the local water supply. Crops could no longer be watered, and as the women were forced to walk further and further for water, more and more were victims of rape. Villages were deserted as people left for the safety and water of a larger centre.
The rehabilitation of wells is an integral part of providing more and better health and nutrition to this hungry area. Once a community has water, crops can be planted, farmers can get back to work, children are healthier, and women are safer.
Our water team, headed by Idriss Ibrahim, travels to areas most severely in need of water. They rehabilitate wells, hand pumps and pipes, and drill new boreholes. Last week Idriss returned from the town of Khirban (pop. 4200). The water situation there had been desperate—their old borehole was damaged almost beyond repair. The community was afraid that they would be forced to abandon their village. Finally one person came up with a solution. He traveled to a large town, purchased 6500 Dinar ($32 CAD) worth of chewing gum, distributed this to the entire population and told them to start chewing! Hours later the well-chewed gum was collected and became the “rubber” seal needed to stop the major leak. Old plastic garbage bags protected the seals. But before long, the pipes started leaking again. Leaving the village seemed like the only option.
How amazed they were when Idriss arrived with new pipes! When the clean water finally gushed out, there were shouts of joy, singing and dancing! Now they could stay in their village! They could water the animals! They could plant a crop!
CRWRC/CFGB is supporting thousands of farmers in Darfur with the Darfur Relief Collaboration project. In a place where God does not send His rains in abundance, these wells are sources of life.
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