NEWS

January 2023

Well Repair Setback

Last month we reported that repairs to the well were underway. Unfortunately, there has been a major setback. When the team arrived on site, they determined that the previous contractor had cut corners and the inside diameter of the well pipe was undersized for the required pump. We have accepted their recommendation to drill a new larger diameter bore hole.

December 2022

Well Repairs Underway

The original design of the solar electric system to power the well was inadequate. Work is now in progress to implement modifications so that a diesel-powered generators using scarce and expensive fuel will not be required.

May 2022

Examination Clinic Plan & Budget Developed

A four phase plan has been developed for construction of the Examination Clinic. The first phase will house medical equipment provided by MedShare several years ago which has been in storage. Funding the physical structure is a major priority.

December 2021

On July 24th water started flowing from the well in Yassa!

Fr. Jean described the successful completion of the well as “life changing” for the village of Yassa. It was a costly project, and one fraught with many obstacles and delays, but the joy expressed in the videos makes it all worth it. Thanks again to all of our contributors who made it possible to impact so many lives so far away.

We are still finishing up some loose ends. We are making the plumbing connections from the well to the Maternity Clinic and we have just released funds for the construction of a septic field to manage the waste water from the building. We will also be making some modifications to the solar power supply for more reliable operation.

Examination Clinic in the planning stages.

It is now time to circle back and look at constructing an Examination Clinic to house the medical equipment supplied by MedShare back in 2017. At that time, many generous donors at several Catholic parishes provided the funding to purchase a shipping container and cover the shipping cost to transport the equipment to the Congo. Much of that equipment has been sitting in storage since that time as we addressed the Maternity Clinic issues which Fr. Jean assessed to be more urgently needed. We are currently evaluating proposals for the building and trying to determine the cost of construction including furnishings and electrical and plumbing utilities. Funds are being collected so that we can move forward with construction as soon as possible.

Celebration at completion of the well as it is packed and grouted.

First flowing water in Yassa!

Sounds of joy!

April 2021

Well Project Fundraising Complete

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we had some minor setbacks in our fundraising efforts. However, we are happy to announce that thanks to the generosity of many faithful donors, we were still able to collect enough funds to meet our goal for the well. All the materials for the well project were purchased and well construction began last December.

Drilling efforts were proceeding smoothly, but unfortunately before the workers attained the required depth of 200 meters (just over 600 feet), the drilling equipment failed at a depth of 173 meters. New equipment has been procured by the drilling contractor and drilling should resume shortly.

Solar Repair Project Complete

Shortly after the Maternity Clinic was dedicated in 2019, the solar panels on the building were struck by lightning which destroyed the complete solar electric system: panels, inverter, and batteries. At that time we decided to delay the repairs until funding for the well was complete. Fortunately, we not only reached our goal for the well, we exceeded it and were able to issue an order for the necessary repairs. The lights are now back on in the Maternity Clinic!

The newly renovated batteries to the solar panels that provide the Maternity Clinic with electricity.

Delivery of the water storage tanks to support the construction of the Well.

Yassa Maternity Clinic Feburary 2021