Water is life, water is food. Let's not leave Turkana behind!

Over the past few decades, freshwater resources per person have declined by about 20 percent due to misuse, over-extraction of groundwater, pollution and climate change.Currently 2.4 billion people live in countries with water shortages. Competition for this resource is growing, and water scarcity is increasingly causing conflict.The emblem of the drama of this situation is the Turkana region, located in northwest Kenya, which Henry and I had the opportunity to visit in August while participating in a mission of the Pope John XXIII Community. The region is named after Lake Turkana, the largest permanent lake in a desert environment and also the most alkaline lake in the world. In this area, local communities are suffering the devastating consequences of climate change, with a prolonged drought killing thousands of livestock and exacerbating tribal conflicts.The lack of rainfall (just 10 days of rain in the past 5 years) has put a strain on the people of this region, as the lake water is unusable for agriculture and undrinkable. In response to this emergency, people are forced to dig shallow wells in the dry riverbeds, but often the water found is contaminated and seriously endangers health, especially that of children. This situation has a direct impact on food availability, as people eat almost exclusively dried fish, goat or camel milk, and grains, which are rarely available.To address this emergency, the Pope John XXIII Community has initiated a fundraiser to build wells to meet the needs of the villages of Moite and Altugo. The cost of this work amounts to €126,990. It is an expensive intervention, but vital to ensure these communities have access to clean water.On World Food Day,which this year puts water at the center of attention, we have decided to contribute to this cause close to our hearts by personally starting a fundraiser in support of the project to bring clean water to the people of Turkana, who urgently need it to survive. We invite you to join this collection. Every contribution, however modest it may seem, is of crucial importance.Thank you!Sara and HenryBreakdown of funding for a single well (x2):Equipment (pump, solar structures, cables, pipes, water meter, connectors): €12,178Water tank: €16,6602livestock troughs: €5,833Water stand: €5,833Fence: €4,041Costof drilling: €20,300 for Moite and €17,600 for Altugo.ENGLISH VERSION------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In recent decades, the availability of freshwater per person has decreased by approximately 20%, primarily due to mismanagement, over-extraction of groundwater, pollution, and the impacts of climate change. Presently, about 2.4 billion people reside in regions facing water scarcity. Competition for this invaluable resource is intensifying, leading to conflicts especially among local communities. One striking example of this crisis is the Turkana region, located in northwestern Kenya. In August, while participating in a mission organized by the Pope John XXIII Community, Enrico and I had the opportunity to visit this area. The region derives its name from Lake Turkana,the largest permanent lake in an arid environment and also renowned as the most alkaline lake globally. In this region, local communities are grappling with the devastating effects of climate change, marked by prolonged droughts that have decimated thousands of livestock and exacerbated tribal conflicts. The severe lack of rainfall (only 10 days of rain in the past 5 years) has placed immense strain on the people of this region. The lake water is unsuitable for both drinking and agriculture. In response to this crisis, residents are compelled to dig shallow wells in dry riverbeds. Unfortunately, the water they retrieve is often contaminated, posing a severe health risk, particularly to children. This situation directly affects the availability of food, as the residents primarily subsist on dried fish, goat or camel milk, and infrequently available grain.To address this urgent situation, the Pope John XXIII Community has initiated a fundraising campaign to construct wells that will cater to the needs of the villages of Moite and Altugo. The cost of this endeavor amounts to €126,990. While it is a substantial investment, it is indispensable in ensuring that these communities gain access to clean water. On this year's World Food Day, which puts water at the center of attention, we have decided to contribute to this cause close to our hearts by personally launching a fundraising initiative in support of the Turkana clean water project. These communities are in dire need of clean water to survive, and we invite you to join us in this effort. Every contribution, no matter how modest, holds significant importance.Thank you!Sara & EnricoBreakdown of funding for a single well (two wells will be built):Equipment (pump, solar structures, cables, pipes, water meter, connectors): €12,178 Water tank: €16,660 2 cattle troughs: €5,833 Water kiosk: €5,833 Fence: €4,041 Cost of drilling: €20,300 for Moite and €17,600 for Altugo.----------------------------------------