Farmers understand the importance of a well

By Joan Janzen

Farmers recognize the importance of a good water well, so it's not surprising that the community of Major has provided the finances for a new well in Zambia, Africa. Marlene Chotowetz from Major shared how it all began.

Marlene first went to Africa in 2005 when her son organized a trip through a church in Calgary. Shortly afterwards, Marlene's son and his wife ended up living in Africa for ten years, where they were involved with an organization called Hands At Work, which serves the needs of vulnerable communities in Africa.

The community of Major made the digging of this new well in Zambia possible. Submitted photo

This is how they haul water in Africa. Submitted photo

"My son is still involved in Hands at Work in both the US and Canada. Every year they have mission groups who travel to Africa," Marlene explained. "I've been over there six times, and in 2016 I took my own group over. Seven people from Major and Kerrobert went to Africa for three weeks.

"Since then, we've gone to Zimbabwe. Every year, we do something to raise money for Zimbabwe," she said. Funds raised at Major's annual fall supper go towards helping people in Africa.

"Last year, I got a message that Hands At Work was starting a new community in Zambia. They would need to provide a life centre where the kids and orphans get fed every day."

Marlene and three friends came up with an idea to raise funds to build a well in Zambia. "Because we're a farming community, we understand how important a well is," she explained. It was estimated it would cost $800 to dig a well in Zambia.

Since people often get together at the Major Hall for coffee, the group of volunteers decided to make cinnamon buns and serve coffee. Anyone who was interested in helping with the project could give a donation.

"I picked a day when our local Credit Union was serving burgers, so it worked out perfectly. People would have a burger and then come over for a cinnamon bun and coffee," she said.

The generous donations collected at the fundraiser amounted to $2,000! "Our community is great! There aren't that many people, but they are willing to help out and are very generous," Marlene said.

Hands At Work focuses on food, health and education. "The whole idea is to help the people to take care of themselves," she explained. They find out where the most vulnerable people are, and get volunteers from the churches to help them learn how to grow their own food, sell some of it and raise poultry. Some communities have graduated, which enables Hands At Work to move on to help another community.

"It's something I've really enjoyed working on," Marlene said, and didn't rule out the possibility of raising funds for additional projects.

Even a community as small as Major can make a big difference in the lives of vulnerable people in Africa.