NEWS
August 2023
Last October we contracted with Weast, an international company that has produced many solar-powered wells in Africa, to replace the pump and upgrade the solar-power on the well in Yassa. However, the well itself was determined to be inadequate and a second contract was needed for a new well. Along the way, many obstacles were encountered and we began to wonder if a functioning well in Yassa was actually part of God’s will. With much prayer from our supporters and donors, with a timely contribution from a donor, and with a persistent effort from Weast, water is again flowing in Yassa powered by the sun and no longer by a generator.
It is now time to return to our plan to build the Examination Clinic to house the equipment donated by MedShare. While there is a grand plan to possibly construct a large clinic in four phases, our focus is on the first phase which will accommodate the equipment that is currently in storage, with some of it being stored in the Maternity Clinic and limiting the clinic’s usefulness. The first phase of the Examination Clinic is itself broken into two stages. The first stage is the physical building to provide a place for the equipment. The second phase is the solar-power facility to allow the equipment to become operational.
Water is flowing again in Yassa!
Our building fund was depleted by the well expenses, but we felt we had no choice. Operating a Maternity Clinic and an Examination Clinic without water is simply not feasible. And so, we now start fundraising again, and it is an uphill battle with an estimated price tag of just over $100,000. We appreciate donations of all amounts, $10, $25, $50, or whatever you can contribute. But to put things in perspective, it takes 1,000 donations of $100 each to reach our $100,000 goal. We don’t have that many donors to our small non-profit. And so, we pray that there may be a few generous donors who have the means to make a significant contribution of $1,000, $5,000, or $10,000 to get us back on our feet and help us reach our goal more quickly.
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.
First water flowing in Yassa
Sounds of joy from local villagers
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.
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.
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.
March 2021
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!
Delivery of water storage tanks to support construction of the well.
The newly renovated batteries to the solar panels that provide the maternity clinic with power.
October 2020
Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, we have had some minor setbacks. However, our short-term fundraising goal for the Well project is approaching its completion
The well is very much needed to make the maternity clinic fully functional, to facilitate construction of the next phase of the clinic, and to meet the everyday needs of the community in Yassa.
With Kinshasa opening up, a second company has now been able to give us a second cost estimate and begin the drilling and installation process. The below video shows our clinic building and that the drilling process has begun!
With your help we will be able to reach our goal and finish the well, ultimately bringing much needed help to thousands in this community. Please donate today!
October 2019
Thank you to Bishop-Kelley Catholic School for their generous donation from the Jean's Day on October 25,2019!
Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for their generous donation from the spaghetti fundraiser dinner hosted on October 20,2019! The contribution will help purchase beds for the Maternity Clinic.