Maputo Water Well Handover

SOUTH AFRICA – THE HARMS WAY/Maputo, Mozambique Clean Water Wells Handover Ceremonies/ May 19-24

This was an experience of a lifetime! The Humanitarian couples in Maputo have been working for a year or so digging and constructing wells for some outlying areas to have access to clean water. Then, Public Affairs was called in to organize the handovers. We didn’t do much but our National Director, Florencia Mondlane, helped get the media there. Usually, the local communities take care of the “program,” we just make sure the church’s presence is known and have a local Priesthood representative there to speak on behalf of the church. Here is the write-up Elder Harms and I did to turn in to the Area Presidency to do with as they wish. It might make its way to any number of church publications, i.e., Church News, Liahona, Newsroom, etc. (or none at all). But, we did our part.

Clean, Reliable Water Blesses 8,000 in Matola Area

89 year old Aida Mavessane Tivane, dances for joy. “You can’t imagine the happy I am. I used to walk many kilometers for water and now I am old. I am lucky because other people my age didn’t live to see this. I think I’m in heaven.” Bokisso, Siduava and Estevel, three villages in the Matola area, near Maputo, Mozambique, were the recipients of a charitable donation of several clean water wells and pumps from, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Handover ceremonies were conducted by local community leaders to formally receive the keys to the pumps. Appreciation was expressed to the Church for providing the blessing of clean, reliable water.

Samo Paulo Goncalves, District President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in formally handing over the wells to the communities explained, “The funds came from the sacrifice of Church members all over the world. Members of the Church strive to follow Christ and His example of service by relieving suffering wherever they can.”

The mayor of Matola City, Mr. Arao Nahancale, led the shout “Hurray for Water!” He urged the community to honor the sacrifice of those who provided the wells by taking good care of the wells.

Access to clean water without walking many kilometers has a direct impact in each person’s life. Having water nearby for drinking, washing, and cooking blesses the villages in other ways not so readily apparent. As Dr. Cremilde Xavier de Almeida, government representative of the Boane District commented, “Now that you don’t have to spend so much time looking for water, poverty should be reduced, health should be better, and time for education increased.” (end of article)

Florencia sat by Sister Harms to interpret. Notice her notebook as she diligently records what is going on. In one location a large well was refurbished bringing water to the community in the form of several spigots. Several wells were provided that gave water just at those locations. The “mamas” danced and sang and presented us with what they had to share which was cassava roots and some kind of parsley green in the plastic bags. We gave these precious gifts to Joao Matsinhe, who is the onsite water monitor for the church in Maputo. He is the one who the Humanitarian couples worked with on these projects. He is pictured below on the left with the Maputo Branch President, Samo Goncalves, and a government leader. The children lined up in front of the Mozambique flag came on a Saturday for the ceremony. One community further showed their gratitude by feeding us the head of a cow which is a high honor. We don’t know who got the good part. Here are Elder Erekson (our Public Affairs Director) and Elder Harms bravely taking their serving. They also served rice which is what Sister Harms ate. It is considered highly impolite to not eat something when food is offered. The community didn’t get any of this delicacy – only the honored guests! The mama below is showing that she will no longer have to carry this heavy container for 2 kilometers in order to get water. The last picture is one of our favorites showing a woman cleaning up from the ceremony by carrying the table on her head while talking on her cell phone! Following pictures of the handover are some of our favorite pictures of Mozambique and the people.

 

Take special note of the man in front of his house with a transistor radio and cell phone. Next is an example of a flea market. There are always markets and small tuck shops where people are selling any and everything like the shoes spread out for sale in the picture below. This woman is shelling mesquite beans for soup. This is a little Albino African girl. We have seen three or four Albinos since we have been here. Notice the cute little Mozambican taxi. The girls are playing jump rope with a rope of pieces tied together and next is a homemade top. You can also see examples of kitchen and bathing facilities. The group picture is of a visit with Florencia and the Binghams (Humanitarian couple) with a Core Opinion Leader who has been hosted by the Church and been to Salt Lake City. He is Sheik Abdul Kareem. We took a picture of this little girl with the Old Navy tee-shirt. We have also seen other brand names like Adidas. We wonder if they are from donations from the States. Florencia and Sister Harms are at our hotel drinking complimentary coconut juice cocktails. Here is a beautiful sunset taken from our hotel balcony facing the Indian Ocean. The Q Here sign was taken at the airport leaving South Africa, and the last picture speaks for itself!!! We love these beautiful dark-skinned people here in Africa. They are truly our brothers and sisters!