After retiring from a busy city life, Elisabeta looked forward to living a simple existence in the 400-year-old village of Gherman. After moving there the 55-year-old woman soon experienced her neighbor’s daily hardship. There was no source of clean water anywhere in the area.

Gherman’s population of 500 consists of mostly elderly people. Over the years, the younger generations have moved out, seeking jobs in the cities. Those left behind would have to endure the increasingly difficult task of finding clean water. They washed their clothes and bathed with rain water. Their own courtyard wells contained very hard water only suitable for housework and the animals. Those that did drink it suffered from kidney and gall bladder illnesses.

Last December, Operation Blessing’s Romanian outreach center found out about Gherman’s desperate situation and partnered with East Life Water drilling company. Defying winter temperatures, the drill went down to 492 feet and struck clean water! A network of four taps, piping system and pump house were completed in a little more than month. In time, more connections will be installed but for now the entire village has access to clean water for the first time in its history!

“The lack of water was shattering my dreams,” expressed Elisabeta. “My plan was to have a modern bathroom. I’m looking forward to have water on my street and also an automatic washing machine. During the summer time a lot of the wells dry up. This project is a miracle for our village.”

Gherman’s mayor remarked, “In the name of the whole community I want to thank you for your support. We want you to know we are so grateful to you and to God for this source of water. After all, this is the source of life. Through this project I strongly believe we made one step further to civilization.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Help break the cycle of suffering by giving toward Operation Blessing's water wells and cisterns program. A gift of $1,800 can drill a well for villages and supply families with clean drinking water.

 

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