rother Lucio was indeed radiant with joy for the inauguration of the water well in Luvungi on Dec. 22, 2007. It involves 30 miles of underground tubing, 90 water fountains in various villages, 215
faucets and over 300,000 gallons of daily water for over 40,000 people in the area.
Under a hill in the Luvungi valley, a big reserve of water is stored, coming from the springs of a mountain 27,000 feet high. From this water reserve, it reaches various neighborhoods and villages of the area. Whatever is not used, goes automatically in the fields as blessings for the various harvests. It took Br. Lucio’s team about 1 year to accomplish this water infrastructure.
Coming from the Treviso area of Italy, Brother Lucio Gregato has a long-standing experience in these projects as well as mission building and
construction in both Burundi and Congo. “He is as popular as the President of D.R. Congo – people remarked. Because of his many efforts, he’s been considered for honorary citizenship!”
Development projects are many and needed, and yet the one who come to full term are still few and far in between. Many do not reach conclusion because of the lack of collaboration, or because moneys invested in such
endeavors suddenly disappear, or because these projects are not serving the entire community but just a few people, or because of the political and social stability of Congo who experiences often war, rebel infighting, refugees and dishonesty.
Yet, water is equal for everyone; it’s a vital resource for all; and it is a dream for many...
There is the daily commute of mothers, children, elderly... as if it was a religious procession, with various plastic containers, heading toward the river, and coming home
hunchback because of their weight. It resembles often a daily slavery.
Then there is the normal crowd at the clinic of the sisters, with various diseases caused by polluted water: stomach aches,
diarrhea, weakness, cholera and intestinal warms. Elderly men and women, used to living in shackles, do not bathe themselves regularly, and the water is often neither colorless, tasteless and odorless.
Luvungi is a big village which extends itself in a sandy plain, receiving the sun and an afternoon dry breeze from Lake Tanganika. In recent past, there were many attempts to resolve the grave problem of potable water, with old pumps cranked by hand which lasted only a few months. Following some studies and engineering samples, contacts and practical permits with various organizations, and a good and solid educational and formational campaign, we’ve reached the end of this projects.
Manos Unidas (United Hands), an organization from Spain, together with the Xaverian Missionaries, have assumed the responsibility and directed this valuable project. The local people have dug its 30 miles of channels for the laying of the tubing… Catholics, Protestants, Muslims… it did not matter what you believe in!
At the end, on Inauguration Day, everyone was in tears and joy, with much pride for the work done! Brother Lucio is also happy!
In fact, on Dec. 30 2007, he brings me together with Fr. Michael and Don Emilio to see the project, and witness the abundance of veggies in his garden: beans, peanuts, greens, peppers, salad, squash, papayas, and so much more… It seems to be in Paradise!
Water and Sun are blessings for the Earth. And together with St. Francis of Assisi, it is good to sing: “All Praise be Yours, o Gracious God, though our Sister Water, for she is so very useful and humble and precious and pure.”
(From Xaverian Mission Newsletter)