Last Friday, we invited you to join us in responding to the situation in DRC. Since then, we’ve been overwhelmed with gratitude by your quick response.
You’ve given, you’ve prayed, and you’ve asked others to do the same. A few of you even agreed to match gifts from other people (more on that at the end of this post).
The pictures below are from Mutumbi Village. Mutumbi is located about 9 miles northeast of Bunia, and was home to just under 1,300 people when Water4 and AEDR installed a new well in the community last December. Since the fighting in Djugu Territory began escalating in early June, the population of Mutumbi has nearly doubled.
Many local families are now hosting one or more displaced families, and temporary shelters are going up nearby as more people arrive. As the population has swelled, the water supply has been overwhelmed, and people are spending hours waiting in line for water each day.
Imagine what it must be like living in Mutumbi right now. Life was hard before, but now imagine adding waiting in line for hours with your neighbors and all of the displaced families to the already difficult task of walking for water. The little water and food you had to start with is being stretched thin as new families arrive in your community daily.
As the violence just 40 miles north of you has intensified, it’s not uncommon to wake up in the night to the sounds of gunshots in the distance. Every few days, an armed helicopter passes by overhead.
Imagine the fear and immense stress you’d be under. Imagine asking yourself, “What if I’m next? What if my family has to flee?”
Now imagine waking up to the sound of augers clanging together in your village. You hear drillers singing and laughing together as they work. In the midst of everything else going on, imagine having one less thing to worry about because more safe water is on the way.
Thankfully, AEDR’s been in Mutumbi this week working with community leaders to address their water situation, but the situation’s just as urgent in at least 25 more communities nearby.
Will you give so Water4 and AEDR can provide safe water and relief in those 25 communities, as well?
$14 provides relief and hope for one person
$4,000 provides safe water, hygiene training, and soap for an entire community
The next $16,500 given will be DOUBLED thanks to a handful of generous matching donors
