As long as I live I will remember the day that water flowed for the first time in the community of Mambane.
A rural community high in the Lebombo mountains, 3000 people in the Mambane region have depended on one single water source for decades....(pictured below)
Women and children spend hours each day walking to this little pool of 'water' in a river bed which has been dry for well over a decade.
They wait patiently in line for hours and then proceed to fill their water container full of thick mud.
It is because of this lack of clean running water, that so many thousands of children die each year of diarrheal disease in Swaziland and throughout SubSaharan Africa.
In May of 2009, I shared with the readers of this website the desperate need of the Mambane community for clean water.
And you responded.....
In total 12 thousand US dollars (approximately half of which came from donations to this website) was raised by the Possible Dreams International team which paid for:
Surveying by the department of Geology for bore water.
The drilling of a bore hole in Mambane
Purchase of an electrical transformer to provide a sustainable energy source
Purchase of An electric water pump
Purchase of A 10 thousand litre water tank
On the day when the water flowed.... people came from miles around to see the beautiful sight which they had prayed for, for so many years.
An old Grandmother who has taught 70 AIDS orphans each day under the arms of a great Boabab tree.... knelt by the water pump and wept....saying "In my whole life.... I have never seen running water."
Your gift to the people of Mambane is priceless. Immeasurable in its depth and beauty.
Because of you lives will be saved.
Because you suffering will be spared.
Because of you an entire community living in the shackles of extreme poverty, have seen once again the flickering light of hope. They have remembered that they are not alone.
My gratitude to you, my friend, knows no bounds.
Together we have built a bridge.... across whose arms tangible love has come streaming into the lives of our brothers and sisters living in the fray of life.
I invite you to help us continue this work of love by becoming an ambassador of Possible Dreams International.
Together we will love the world into change,
We already are,
Maithri
20 Whispers of Hope:
Good Lord! I have to stop complaining....NOW.
Like RIGHT NOW.
Eye opening stuff M.
I'm telling you, they should nominate you for a Peace Prize. You have what it takes, or took, depending on how you view it, to change this world.
You advocate *being the change* a la Ghandi...well you sweetie, I am here to tell you that YOU ARE THE CHANGE.
Thanks for being that first domino that falls thereby knocking each successive domino down!
Love to you... hugs to you ....compassion to you.... and last but not least my friendship to you {which isn't offered lightly, should you really know me.}
xoxoxox
Will email you tomorrow. ! Gillian <3
well done
Dearest Maithri, thank you for sharing this tangible result with us. My heart overflows with gratitude for what you and your team realize. My heart goes out to those people who are facing the fight for life everyday in the hardest way. May the clean and healthy water render them stronger and resistant and allow them to improve their existence consistently.
Big hugs of joy.
Margherita
Transformation! While it is easy to throw the word around, it is a difficult task to actually facilitate and celebrate this thing called transformation. What you, wonderful Maithri, and your readers have done is just that - you have transformed the lives of a community. You've given them a whole new life. And clean water is life in more ways than just one - it's peace of mind, it's health, it's time, it's peace and it is hope. I salute you all! xxx
You have shown and continue to show just what is possible in the name of love. You are a beacon of light in this sad world.
My love to you always.
Sylvia
I came to visit my friend on my lunch break. I sit and cry and forget to eat. I wonder how many other blessings I take for granted. to never have seen running water. The thought takes my breath away. I have to stop now. Lunch ends in two minutes and I must go get my charges. And love them into changing the world.
This almost made me cry. I can go to my faucet and get water anytime I want. Thank the divine for you and all who donated so they can have fresh water.
Makes me remember to be grateful for all that I have.
Hello Maithri,
These images you share bring home what is real and important in life, the simple basics: water,food,love and caring for each other. Very poignant words and images. Thank you for sharing so much love, my friend.
Deep peace to you!
I am with Gillian, Maithri, you have been the catalyst for this change. May good health, happiness and love always be your companion. You are my hero.
What touches me most about your posts is not only are they inspiring, but they are filled with such love... I feel that love in every, single word. truly I do.
Big (((Hugs))), and so very much love to you.
love,
me
I cant even imagine the kind of happiness those people must have gone through..and we in the city waste our resources like anything. Its time that we realise how imp it is to save water so that it can reach every corner of this world.
I congratulate all those becoz of whom this has been made possible.
Bless you.
And because of you dear friend.
Love Renee xoxo
Bless your heart again dear Maithri.
Thank you for showing us the way to help, thank you for including us.
Oh, Maithri, what wonderful news! When I saw the water source (a tiny nearly dried up puddle) my heart sank. And then I saw what you have accomplished. You are truly a living saint and I thank you, also, for allowing us all (who contributed relatively little compared to what we have) to feel like we have changed the lives of our human brothers and sisters.
Bless you and a big hug from Berlin.
LG,
Rose-Anne
Oh, this post brings such tears of joy and pride for you and the folks of Mambane. Congratulations. Well done.
Dear friends,
Your kindness means so much to me. It never ceases to amaze me the power that comes when we join our hands and our hearts in compassion...
Thank you for you love on behalf of our team and most of all on behalf of every gracious soul you will touch with this most beautiful and precious gift,
My love to you,
M
what a blessings. I am filled with joy for this community.
This brings tears to my eyes, joy to my heart and hope to my soul.
compassion to you.... and last but not least my friendship to you {which isn't offered lightly, should you really know me.} Work From Home
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