 Romanian
Village Enters the 21st Century
After retiring from a busy city life, Elisabeta
looked forward to living a simple existence in the 400-year-old village
of Gherman. After moving there the 55-year-old woman soon experienced
her neighbor’s daily hardship. There was no source of clean water
anywhere in the area.
Gherman’s population of 500 consists of mostly
elderly people. Over the years, the younger generations have moved out,
seeking jobs in the cities. Those left behind would have to endure the
increasingly difficult task of finding clean water. They washed their
clothes and bathed with rain water. Their own courtyard wells contained
very hard water only suitable for housework and the animals. Those that
did drink it suffered from kidney and gall bladder illnesses.
Last December, Operation Blessing’s Romanian outreach
center found out about Gherman’s desperate situation and partnered
with East Life Water drilling company. Defying winter temperatures, the
drill went down to 492 feet and struck clean water! A network of four
taps, piping system and pump house were completed in a little more than
month. In time, more connections will be installed but for now the entire
village has access to clean water for the first time in its history!
“The lack of water was shattering my dreams,”
expressed Elisabeta. “My plan was to have a modern bathroom. I’m
looking forward to have water on my street and also an automatic washing
machine. During the summer time a lot of the wells dry up. This project
is a miracle for our village.”
Gherman’s mayor remarked, “In the name of
the whole community I want to thank you for your support. We want you
to know we are so grateful to you and to God for this source of water.
After all, this is the source of life. Through this project I strongly
believe we made one step further to civilization.”
Supply water for life! Just $50 can provide a lifetime
of water for an individual. An average water bill for a household in the
US is approximately $50 per month. This means for just $50, or
one months’ water bill you can give a child or adult the gift of
a lifetime of clean water. Your gift will be used to dig a well
and install a pump or build cisterns.
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