BMS World Mission sent a relief grant for lifesaving sanitation projects in Burma after the devastation of Cyclone Nargis. BMS partner OM feeds back about how the gift has been used.
The supply of clean water was one of the most urgent issues when Cyclone Nargis devastated many villages in May 2008.BMS responded with a relief grant which was administered by our partners OM. They used the money to provide clean water in the areas of Dalla and Dedaye. Some 190 houses were supplied with water and sanitation, and three communal wells were built.
Women have typically drawn contaminated water from makeshift bridges
In many rural areas of Burma villagers draw water manually from ponds for drinking and other domestic purposes using whatever receptacles they have.
However, as the ponds had no protective boundaries, they became contaminated with rubbish and were also used by animals to drink and bathe. The cyclone aggravated this problem because the water was spoiled with sea water and also polluted with decaying human and animal remains.
Animals rooted in the area around the unsecured water
Water pumps and secured water pond
BMS' gift was used to clear out and secure the water ponds in three different villages, and install pumps and wells. The team fenced around the ponds and removed all of the debris, which made them secure and safe to use.
They also dug down to the deeper basins and laid pipelines from these to hand pumps beyond the now enclosed ponds.Now everyone in the village can draw clean water, with the added benefit that women and children are no longer at risk of slipping on mud or tumbling from makeshift bridges as they draw their water supplies.
For the people in these villages, this was the first time they had been able to drink clean water.
New homes with sanitation
Another project assisted by the BMS gift is the provision of clean water and sanitation facilities to almost 200 newly-built houses in the Dhala and Dedaye regions. The people's homes had been destroyed in the cyclone and, when the houses were rebuilt, each was fitted with its own toilet - another 'first' for the villagers.
The sanitation facilities are ensuring safe drainage, and the prevention of contamination of land and water resources.
"One village leader said, "The team is giving what is the biggest need for our village. May our generation see this and acknowledge what [they] did for our village".
On the provision of the newly built homes and the facilities provided, including wells and toilets, one man who spoke for the people said, "We will never forget you in all our life for helping us when we are in trouble. We really thank you for your compassion and loving care even when we are not the same religion."
New homes
Andrew Prentice, OM Development Director, said, "We can only begin to imagine the difference the clean water is making to countless lives in Burma, and how it will continue to do so. [We are] immensely appreciative of the generous gifts given by our partners in our mission to transform lives and communities around the world.
""We will never forget you in all our life for helping us when we are in trouble. We really thank you for your compassion and loving care even when we are not the same religion."
"We extend our grateful thanks to BMS World Mission for your partnership with us in Burma"