Safe drinking water in Bandladesh is hard to come by. Over the years, tube-wells were utilized as a major source of drinking water. Though cheap and easy to install, these tube-wells proved dangerous in the end since they were shallow wells and people came to be at risk of arsenic poisoning or other water-born diseases.

Boring a hole involves much work (click for larger image)

With your help, the ELCA has been addressing this problem together with Lutheran Health Care Bangladesh.

Lutheran Health Care Bangladesh (LCHB) is a Non Government Organization (NGO), comprised of 33 congregations in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and other interested organizations, Foundations and individuals. The LHCB Consortium works in Bangladesh in partnership of ELCA. LHCB emphasizes the development of community health in its work. Operating in Dumki, about 200 km south of the capital city, Dhaka, LHCB aims at working directly with the rural poor community people and providing health and development services, particularly to the mothers and children through a Mother and Child Health Center.

To increase the health status of the rural poor living, LHCB is providing basic health education and increasing the availability of safe water through deep tube-wells.

A tower is constructed to help in the boring process (click to enlarge)

Project staff hold weekly meetings with people in the community. They discuss and analyze their problems and needs. Activities then comprise of health education, arsenic testing, and the installing deep tube-well. These activities are being carried out in 45 villages, touching 34,500 people. One hundred deep tube-wells are being installed.

Completion of a well is a time to celebrate and praise God (click to enlarge)

The wells are dug 800-1000 feet (244-305 meters) into the ground, specifically to avoid the arsenic contamination found in the shallower tube wells. Using only hand labor, a team of workers can dig a well in less than a week for about US$800 to $1,000. The project offers the workers an opportunity to acquire new skills they can use for other community development projects.

The 2004 Vacation Bible School program through Augsburg Fortress offered a mission project opportunity that would raise funds for these wells in Bangladesh. VBS campers had the opportunity to put into action what they learned -- God calls us to care for all that God has created.

As of March 1, 2005, more than $290,021.00 has been raised for these wells.

The wells that are dug bring more than fresh water: they bring life. Thank you!

For more information on this or other projects you can support, contact the Rev. Twila Schock at 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2641, or by e-mail. You can contribute on-line through ELCA Good Gifts