Waiting for Water
According to an old Thai proverb, there’s anguish in waiting. But how can waiting be such an agony? Simply because, while waiting, one knows not what the future holds. No-one can predict if tomorrow will bring blessing or suffering; and, with waiting, there comes anxiety and distress, and a hope that appears to dim; subsequently, waiting is a form of pain.
The Po District in Ubon Ratchathani Province is one of many impoverished districts in Thailand. Because the people from this area are unable to secure basic needs, such as water for their families, they’re barely able to look beyond today, let alone tomorrow.
So seeking a reliable water supply, they asked for help, then settled into awaiting a team to fulfil their request. The days of waiting turned into weeks; then the weeks became months. When, finally, the waiting had finally turned into years, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) arrived in their district. The people were overjoyed.
Ban Kum Manee School in Po District is a classic story of how ADRA, through the Ubon Ratchathani water and health project, has made a difference to the lives of the people. The staff and students of the local Ban Kum Manee School had waited and hoped for so long they could hardly remember.
Everyone contributed in some way. ADRA provided the necessary machinery, human resources and transportation, while other agencies helped with building equipment. The school provided food and accommodation for the project staff.
The search began for a reliable water source, as previous attempts by others had proved fruitless. This brought stress to the project staff because they recognised the high hopes the people had placed on them. Although ADRA had never had a failure working in this district, it’s always a risk when drilling for water. The work of searching for a supply went on nonstop.
On the third day of exploration, the drill was down 50 metres. Two metres deeper and signs of water began to appear. Everyone shouted with joy as relief passed across the ADRA workers’ faces. Smiles and laughter replaced gloomy and anxious feelings. There were tears along with unspoken thoughts of hopes fulfilled.
Some 200 lives have benefited directly from this permanent water supply and thousands more in the surrounding community. Once again the ADRA Ubon Ratchatani water project, with the assistance of funds given by donors in Australia and New Zealand, has enabled great improvement in the lives of the people they serve.
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