Delivering food, shelter, and hope to the poorest of the poor
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Give Clean Water During Lent
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GHANA, MALAWI and ZAMBIA
Wells of Salvation
Finding water is a daily struggle for many poor families living in rural Ghana, Malawi and Zambia, eating up precious time and energy. Even when a source can be found, the water it produces is often risky to drink, but families use it anyway — because they have no other choice.
This Lent, your parish is teaming up Cross Catholic Outreach and dioceses in Ghana, Malawi and Zambia to bring the gift of clean water to families by drilling 69 hand pump wells. Join us in this partnership to deliver clean water, sanitation and improved education to rural African communities.
In the Gospel reading for Ash Wednesday, Jesus says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
This Lent, you have the powerful opportunity to “store up treasure in Heaven” and reap the spiritual rewards only Jesus can give.
Don’t miss this opportunity to pray, fast and give lifesaving water to those in desperate need.
The Quest for Water
A Lenten Outreach
For poor families living in Ghana, Malawi and Zambia, the search for water is often a challenging and even dangerous daily chore. On a daily basis, women and young girls wake up long before the sun rises to collect water from contaminated sources, such as shallow holes in dried-up riverbeds, ponds or streams. The water is rarely suitable for drinking, bathing or washing, but the people who rely on these sources collect it anyway because there are no alternatives. Unfortunately, not having access to clean water easily leads to waterborne illnesses including diarrhea, cholera and e. coli.
Rural communities are hit the hardest. 16.2 % of the rural population in Ghana, 9% in Malawi, and 43.4% in Zambia are forced to rely on inadequate, often contaminated sources of drinking water. Source: The CIA World Fact Book
Meet Our Ministry Partners
Devoted Dioceses Working to Transform Lives
This Lent, Cross Catholic Outreach is partnering with dioceses in Ghana, Malawi and Zambia to deliver clean water, sanitation and improved education to rural African communities.
The Diocese of Wa, Ghana
In the Upper West Region, the Diocese of Wa serves some of Ghana’s poorest families. Since we began our partnership in 2021, we’ve helped install nine wells and fund three schools for families in the region.
The late Cardinal Richard Kuuia Baawobr was committed to sharing God’s love through both evangelism and tangible works of mercy. He recently passed in November 2022, but his staff continues to honor his legacy by serving the poor.
The Diocese of Karonga, Malawi
The Diocese of Karonga is the newest diocese in Malawi. Since 2019, we’ve helped install 24 wells and repair 20 existing wells.
Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka is working to reach isolated communities with the hope of the Gospel.
The Diocese of Chipata, Zambia
The Diocese of Chipata serves a vast, rural area with more than 300,000 faithful. Since 2017, we’ve helped the diocese provide water to 135 communities.
Bishop George Zumaire Lungu encourages fellow Catholics to follow Christ’s example and promote life by helping those in need.
Goals for this Outreach
Empowering Devoted Dioceses to Transform Lives
Your family can be part of a mission to install 69 wells and 25 sanitation facilities that will change lives for the glory of God. Jesus gave everything for us, so it is only fitting that we sacrifice to help our brothers and sisters in need. Here is a summary of our goals for this outreach:
The Diocese of Wa, Ghana
- Install two wells and 25 sanitary latrine toilets.
- Construct three new schools and a teachers’ quarters for a community of 454 with no other school options.
The Diocese of Karonga, Malawi
- Install wells in 12 communities.
- Construct additional classrooms at a crowded primary school.
- Train lay ministers to provide Catholic outreach in rural communities.
The Diocese of Chipata, Zambia
- Install 55 wells in remote villages.
- Train 350 community leaders in water and sanitation education. These leaders will pass on their knowledge to the members of their community.
Donaliya Zulu Needs Your Help
Each morning, Donaliya Zulu wakes up before the sun rises to collect water from a nearby river. The families in her Zambian community dig shallow holes on the banks of the river and work tirelessly to collect the rising groundwater. This water is teeming with bacteria and makes Donaliya’s children sick, but her family must have water to survive, so she takes whatever she can find.
“Sometimes we come [to the river] at 1 a.m. and we have to wait for the water to come up,” she said, adding there is often conflict over who can get to the water first since the supply is so limited.
While Donaliya can’t imagine her life being different — we know it can, and you can be part of that solution.
Get the Whole Family Involved With Our Free Lent Activity Guide
This guide is the perfect opportunity to engage your family with the Corporal Works of Mercy, activate compassion toward the poor, and transform lives this Lent.
Download our FREE 2023 Lent Activity Guide for family-friendly activities, crafts, liturgical readings, prayers and more!
Give Wells of Salvation for Lent
Store Your Treasure in Heaven
Join us in prayer, fasting and alms-giving for those in great need. Your gift will answer the prayers of families in rural communities in Ghana, Malawi and Zambia and will transform lives with clean water and hope for a brighter future.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
—Matthew 6:19-21
Proceeds from this campaign will be used to cover any expenditures incurred through June 30, 2023, the close of our ministry’s fiscal year. In the event that more funds are raised than needed to fully fund the project, the excess funds, if any, will be used to meet the most urgent needs of the ministry.