Project Cost : $ 6,000 Beneficiaries : 800 people
Advent SHARE Ministries, Inc. (ASM) has turned over a 6,000-dollar water system project to the indigenous people of Quinomay, Mansalay, Mindoro Island in the Philippines on May 31, 2011 in a simple yet meaningful inauguration ceremony attended by ASM representatives, South Central Luzon Conference of SDA (SCLC) personnel and the villagers.
The project drains clean and fresh water by gravity to the community from a covered spring source in the jungle via a two- kilometer underground polyethylene main pipeline to a 7,000- gallon concrete water tank near the village.
From the tank, two pipelines were connected to five public faucets strategically located within the village. The water system would serve the whole community of around 150 households or at least 800 individuals.
“I saw a lot of people, children and adults alike, die due to the dirty water from the river,” Tatang, one of the senior citizens, initially lamented in his acceptance speech.
The Mangyan natives used to get their water for drinking and for domestic use from the small river beside the village. However, the water was contaminated with deadly diseases claiming the lives of hundreds of children and adults over the years.
“We have been longing for this water system since the 1970s,” Tatang continued.
“We have been requesting for assistance. Nobody seemed to care. At last, it is here. Thank God, thank you ASM. Thank you for your love. This is the fulfillment of our dream,” he tearfully said.
“This is life to the folks of Quinomay,” stated Pastor Arnel Gabin, SCLC President, in a letter sent to ASM.
With the potable water system being enjoyed by everybody in Quinomay, the incidence of deaths and diseases caused by contaminated water is expected to significantly decrease.
The project was made possible through the financial contribution of ASM members and friends; the direct supervision of the district leader Pastor Dulay; the close coordination of Pastor George Panghulan, SCLC Coordinator for Development; the support of SCLC administration and the effort of the people of Quinomay.
The beneficiaries provided the locally available materials and labor like transporting of materials from the town to the project site, digging of trenches as well as hauling of gravel and sand from the river to the spring. Food-for-work was implemented as well. For each day of work, two kilos of rice were provided to the laborers.
To ASM family, donors and friends, thank you for your financial support, prayers and love. The help you extended to complete the water system for the Mangyan brethren is like giving water to the thirsty King. Isn’t it nice to hear Jesus telling us when we see Him, “I was thirsty and you, without hesitation, gave me drink?”