Clean Well Opens
up a New Future for Romanian Family
 Samuel’s
family lived in a village 20 km away from our outreach center in
Timisoara, Romania. The 18-year-old’s parents struggled to
provide basic food, clothing and shelter for their fifteen children
as well as pay school fees for ten of them. They only made $200
every month by selling milk from their three cows. A few pigs and
hens in the yard ensured that the family did not starve.
Their old well also shared the yard. Only drilled 60 feet deep,
the water was contaminated. At least one of the children was always
getting sick, and trips to the doctor were eating a hole in the
family’s already tight budget. If only they had access to
clean water, the family’s health would improve dramatically!
Operation Blessing Romania took the opportunity to help Samuel and
his family last year. Not only did they qualify to participate in
the Back-to-School, Holiday of Hope and Summer Job programs, our
team dug a brand new well in their yard! This will not only help
the family, but their neighbors as well as the nearby town hall,
hospital, school and church. "This fountain is a dream come
true,” exclaimed Samuel. “It is one of the miracles
that happened in our village through you."
What One Well Can Do
Determined to see his family come out of poverty, Samuel and his
twin Beni began thinking creatively about how they could use the
new well to add to their income. Then the idea came…maybe
they could develop a small business selling flavored and carbonated
water which is popular among Romanians. After working in Italy for
four months, Samuel took his earnings and invested in the idea by
finishing his mechanics courses and taking beginning classes in
cooking and accounting. His ambition for a new future is well on
its way as he has already bought a siphon machine and other components
needed to make this a successful family business!
With the continued support of OB Romania and the young men’s
family, Samuel and Beni are on their way towards self-sufficiency.
Recently, we found out they submitted all of the documents needed
for their dream to become a reality. Samuel told us, "I have
no intention to quit and give up to this project once I've started
it!" This tenacity is born out of years of living without and
hope for a new beginning.
Not only has this new well allowed the family to live a healthier
lifestyle, it has given them a new start, motivated them to learn
new skills, work as a family, and reach out to their community.
There are countless more families and communities around the world
that are suffering without clean water.
Please
give the gift of clean water today!
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