A New Well at Kabanga Village

Kabanga Village, in the Southern Province of Zambia, is a remote village hidden deep in the bush of Africa.  It is located about 5-10 minutes from New Day Orphanage, where we serve.  Ricky and others from New Day visit this village once a week on Thursday afternoons to do Bible study under a beautiful shade tree.  The small group consists of the elderly man, Manuel, who is 96 years old, along with his wives, children, and other relatives.  They have been storying the Bible for over a year now in Kabanga and are hoping to start a church soon.

Kabanga Basic School is also located in this village.  LifePoint church from Seneca, SC did a Bible School this past July for over 500 children who attend this school.  In addition, a Pastor and his wife from LaGrange, GA, volunteered in Kabanga school for three weeks teaching the children mathematics while also teaching the Bible.  This school is understaffed with only 4 teachers and a principal currently working Grades K through 7.

There is currently one well in Kabanga, and it stays quite busy with supplying water to the estimated 1500 people, plus approximately hundreds of cows and other farm animals.  Most people travel by foot between 3-4 miles with a bucket or two in hand, and then back home to attend to their daily needs.

A couple of weeks we received funding to begin the process of putting in a new well for Kabanga.  The first step was to hire a drill company to come out and find water.  Once the contract was agreed upon, we visited the headman of Kabanga to discuss the plans of where to place the well.  We walked with Headman Hakwelele from his home to a nearby soccer pitch (field) where the kids play.  It was determined that this area was central to the majority of people who have to walk long distances to the nearest well.  As the huge drilling truck drove the narrow, dusty roads that lead into Kabanga, the people were curious as to what was happening in their community. They began to follow the truck to the site, and after some time a large crowd had formed.  The drilling company began scouting the area for the best spot.  One gentleman held a gourd-type round object in his hand, and as he walked the site the object began turning in his hand.  This was where they decided to start drilling.  As the onlookers watched, the truck lowered the drill into the dusty sand.  It took only 90 minutes before they hit water!

The next step in the well project was to protect the site until a pump could be installed.  The guy installing the pump (Pride) came out to get everything in working order.  Once the pump was installed and water was flowing out nicely, the people began filling their buckets and laughing with joy.  They repeatedly thanked us, saying “Twalumba” over and over with huge smiles on their faces.  We will be using the remaining funds from this well installation to repair the current well so that it will perform better.

Bible study in the village, working in the school, and now providing a much-needed water well will help us in evangelism efforts in Kabanga.  Meeting this physical need will help us to meet spiritual needs within this village and surrounding areas.

Once the concrete was set, the pump was locked for several days to ensure clean drinking water.  There is a water well committee put in place to oversee the well functions and security.  The people began building a fence around the well to keep the animals from destroying the pump.  Opening day at the well is set for Saturday, 8 November.  Watch for more updates here or on our facebook page.