Fr Sean Cremin
Saint Patrick's Missionary Society
Sudan
Project to secure a basic drinking water supply for previously
identified rural communities.
During the dry season here in Eastern Equatoria, South Sudan we
visit prospective places where we would hope to drill some new
boreholes. In Sudan, I am part of the Development Education Team
working alongside the priests of the parish. We have been doing this
type of visitation in many villages over the past ten years since
St. Patrick's Missionaries first began parishes in this area. Each
time we visit a village almost invariably there is a request to
provide water - we have tried to respond in our own way. Through our
water projects of the past ten years we now have up to 55
functioning boreholes scattered over this area. In 2006 with
assistance from IMRS we provided clean water for previously
identified rural communities.
Through this work and the work of the parish we have become known in
this area - and perhaps this was one of the most important things to
come out of this work, we have come to know the people and they have
come to know us. Through this we have been able to challenge the
people not just to be passive recipients of water or any other form
of development, but to contribute to what they want.
We do not say the work is finished, after all we are only here ten
years - but those ten years have given us a foundation on which to
continue to build relationships, continue to respond to the needs of
people in this area in the light of the Gospel message. Jesus was
all about building relationships and through our presence and work
we try to continue that mission.