Our second UNC intern has arrived in Uganda. Check out what she had to say about her first week!
During my first week in Uganda, I had the opportunity to visit the field with Divine Waters Uganda. Divine Waters is an African lead organization that Blood:Water is helping equip to end the water crises. With their mission of providing both spiritual and physical water, Divine Waters sets out to share the Word and drill wells across the sub-counties of Lira. Throughout many schools, communities and health facilities, we heard countless stories of positive changes the newly drilled boreholes have brought to peoples’ lives.
It was an off-roading adventure to reach the remote villages where the boreholes are drilled. The four-wheel drive came in handy!
Testimonies of the school children were particularly inspiring to hear. They spoke of the time before the well was drilled when they would travel long distances in search of safe drinking water. With the new boreholes, they can now take water on their school grounds and can spend the time saved studying in the classroom and playing more (and more and more) soccer!
The schools were all extremely welcoming, but the last school we visited was especially touching. When we arrived, the entire student body of about 700 students was assembled under the tree and headmaster Geoffrey invited a smaller group of students to sing for us. They wrote an original song for Divine Waters as a thank you for digging their well and providing them with latrines. The lyrics and their talent for creating music blew us away. Check it out!
Lyrics to WASH United by Ocamonyang Primary School:
We’re singing, we are the future The future of good health, we are the future We’re singing, we are the future, The future promoters of good sanitation We need your support, we need encouragement We need your contribution, empowerment United we stand, divided we fall
Our guest, look at the children that are performing Expressing happiness for WASH United Concerning messages of good sanitation Concerning what WASH United provided us They are the messengers, listen to them
We’re singing, we are the future The future of good health, we are the future We’re singing, we are the future, The future promoters of good sanitation We need your support, we need encouragement We need your contribution, empowerment United we stand, divided we fall
Everyone let’s protect and keep our toilet clean Sweep the area and sweep the surroundings Wash your hands with soap after the toilet Put your tippytap next to the toilet Wash united we are the champions We’re singing, we are the future The future of good health, we are the future
We’re singing, we are the future The future of good health, we are the future We’re singing, we are the future, The future promoters of good sanitation We need your support, we need encouragement We need your contribution, empowerment United we stand, divided we fall
Our guests we are happy Before you came, we’ve been walking long distances Looking for water, we were so thirsty And we are helpless, that is that
We’re singing, we are the future The future of good health, we are the future We’re singing, we are the future, The future promoters of good sanitation We need your support, we need encouragement We need your contribution, empowerment United we stand, divided we fall
Not only those ones, our dear guests With your help, the school hygiene has been improved That is why we are so smart As you look at our bodies clean Being protected from infection Congratulations, Divine Waters Uganda
We’re singing, we are the future The future of good health, we are the future We’re singing, we are the future, The future promoters of good sanitation We need your support, we need encouragement We need your contribution, empowerment United we stand, divided we fall
