James Harrington, founder of Ugandan Water Project, visited the Hoosick Falls Community Alliance Church last month and shared heart wrenching data on the effects unsafe drinking water has on the lives of Ugandan people and a vision he was given to effect change.
Ugandans walk 2-5 miles twice a day to the nearest water source, typically a murky pond or river shared by livestock, wildlife and/or micro-organisms. Consuming this water leads to disease and often death. Many children in Uganda can’t attend school because their job is to haul water. Oh the things we take for granted!
The goal for our community is to provide funds to purchase at least one 2,600 gallon water tank to be installed in a Ugandan village. This tank will provide safe drinking water for approximately 100 families for 35 years. The cost is $3,500 and a tank can be installed within one month of receiving funds. Water tanks not only provide tangible resources but are also a bridge to building relationships with Ugandan people.
We are asking community members to consider a creative way that you or your business or organization might help support the cause. We know there are a lot of groups raising money for many good causes, and we don’t want to infringe on any of them. We understand finances are tight and that there is a great need right here in Hoosick Falls, but we feel compelled to support the UWP because the cost is so little and the impact is so great. We believe that as we strive to help the less fortunate in Africa, God will bless and provide for us here in Hoosick Falls.
Though our obvious goal is to raise money for the UWP, from a community perspective, it is not about the money. One of our primary goals is to bring the people in our community together to also bless and encourage them. As we take this step of faith, we trust God will provide funds for the UWP.
Since its conception just a few short years ago, the Ugandan Water Project has impacted approximately 30,000 people in 60 Ugandan villages by helping to meet their basic needs and working with them to produce sustainable income. Hoosick Falls has an exciting opportunity to co-labor and help bridge the gap between life and death for these people while building relationship and unity in our own community. We cannot even imagine the impact our humble offering can make in Africa short-term and in many years to come. We’d love to have you join us in this endeavor if you are able.
The HF Community Alliance Church will be overseeing the project locally, coordinating events and collecting money from participating organizations (except HFCS who will work directly with UWP). One hundred percent of the money received from you by HFCAC will benefit UWP. Please visit UWP-HF.org or Facebook at Ugandan Water Project HF for complete details. We will use these venues to keep you informed of UWP-HF events, as well as updated totals.
We are also excited to announce that our community’s first fundraiser – Hat Day at HFCS, sponsored by Friends of Rachel, has been scheduled for January 20.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an event, please contact Gail Smith, Coordinator of Ugandan Water Project Hoosick Falls, at HFCAC (686-3269 or 817-7286) or via email at pray4you@wildblue.net.