I am Louis Fowoyo, from the Catholic Diocese of Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria. I am presently assigned to St. Gaspar del Bufalo, Rome City as Pastor.
I thank Bishop Rhoades for the opportunity to make this mission appeal. I also thank the office of Catholic Charity of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend that approved my appeal. Very importantly, I thank Fr. Lapp for his interest in my coming here for the appeal. I appreciate the contribution of the Parochial vicar Fr. Kenneth Amadi.
Importance of this mission: The community of Ogbom in Kogi State, Nigeria needs help for a borehole for a good source of water for drinking and other use. Water is life. One can be without food for days, not the same with water. It is so important in our body and it helps revive us when we are dehydrated. That is why people say that “Water is a friend that we all need”. Every human community desires a drinkable water that is located within a short distance and you do not have to be on a long queue before getting it. The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates that potable water should be accessible to every community.
The desire to have potable water in a community is almost a mirage for the people of Ogbom in Kogi State, Nigeria. Ogbom is a little town in the state located many miles away from where amenities like water, light and good roads could be reached. It has a population of about 5,000 inhabitants. The source of water for this community are some wells that were dug many years ago. One of these wells which is the most used was provided for the people by the missionaries and it is beside the Catholic Church. This is where people come to fetch water- especially in the evenings when they come back from their farm. These wells have become seasonal because of the weather. During the raining season, which is just three to four months of the year, they will have water. For the rest of the year, people have to walk long distances to look for water to drink.
Safe and readily available water is important for public health, whether it is used for drinking, domestic use, food production or recreational purposes. Improved water supply and sanitation, and better management of water resources, can boost economic growth and can contribute greatly to poverty reduction.
It is based on this that I am appealing that you should assist us to dig a borehole for the people. This will go a long way to help the people and alleviate poverty among them. They will have means of rendering help for themselves. It will also improve greatly their health condition if they have good water to use.
Economic and Social Effects: When water comes from improved and more accessible sources, people spend less time and effort physically collecting it, meaning they can be productive in other ways. This can also result in greater personal safety and reducing musculoskeletal disorders by reducing the need to make long or risky journeys to collect and carry water. Better water sources also mean less expenditure on health, as people are less likely to fall ill and incur medical costs and are better able to remain economically productive.
With children particularly at risk from water-related diseases, access to improved sources of water can result in better health, and therefore better school attendance, with positive long-term consequences for their lives.
Cost of the project: $7,000
I am appealing that you help contribute to a better health and long life of the people.
Father Louis Fowoyo (260) 557-9103 or email: louisromi@yahoo.com