CLEAN WATER – CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IT!
June 2026
Finally, enough water to service Ubuntu Clinique and, in the “Ubuntu way”, share with neighbours! But it wasn’t always so – Ubuntu Clinique (UC) has endured an unpredictable water supply from its start in 2013. Along the way, individuals and groups have come alongside to help address the crucial need for water for a growing Ubuntu Clinique:
- When Jackson started building UC he was able to tap into a small City water line. While this was useful, it was not enough.
- A visiting American businessman (2017) agreed to pay to drill a well and provide a hand pump. This was helpful though the hand pump had its limitations for the continuous need.
- Then in 2018 Fellowship of Christ our Lord Church in Winnipeg supplied an electric pump and piping for the well. This made access to water much easier. UC grew and people moved into the neighbourhood with whom the water was shared. Over time more water was needed.
- In 2022 UNICEF built a 13 km water line from the mountains and provided UC with a 5,000-litre stainless steel tank. In addition, UC also purchased two 5,000-litre tanks. While the water flow was sporadic -- as the water was shared by many along the way -- full tanks offered the possibility of consistent flow throughout the day and night. This brought welcome relief to UC. All was good again!
BUT. THEN. Eighteen months later, a violent storm did significant damage to this water line. Over time the line was repaired but many others laid claim to some of the water which meant that UC could no longer count on a consistent flow.
Drilling a well is an expensive proposition at 10K USD for each attempt with no guarantees. Further, If the well is good, there is need for a pump and piping (additional 10K+ USD).
Others in Jackson’s orbit heard of the essential need.
The water story continues:
- Around 2023, Amazi Water (US/Burundi) drilled two wells at UC; only one produced a small amount of water. That helped but it was not enough.
- Amazi also installed a pump in a well at a field owned by BEEDAY* (of which UC is a part) 3 km away. This well produced lots of water. A 3 km line to UC was dug in 2025 -- a good water source -- but shared with some agricultural projects resulting in an inconsistent supply.
- Also in 2025, a private donor from British Columbia made a sizable contribution to support getting the needed water to UC.
- In April 2025, after speaking at Northeastern University, Illinois, a private donor came forward offering to dig three wells and provide one pump (40K USD). Ultimately one of these wells resulted in an abundant supply just 1 km from UC! Christian Service International provided the pump and a solar system to run the pump. Again, local people came forward to dig a trench and offered their land to be used to bury the water pipe – even through their fields.
- Over the years some of the earlier purchased tanks are no longer useable due to sun exposure. Ubuntu supporters like you enabled the purchase of three (more durable) storage tanks that get filled during the day. UC is hoping donor(s) will come forward to purchase another five tanks ($7500 CAD/10,000-litre tank) that can withstand the test of time and will allow for consistent supply throughout the day.
Did you know? There are usually three growing seasons; this year there were only two as rain becomes increasingly unpredictable.
Yes, development is complicated and a process filled with many twists and turns. Finally, for the time being, there is enough clean water for UC and in the spirit of Ubuntu, sharing it with the local community. The water problem may be fixed for now, but the population continues to increase and more is needed for the agriculture side of BEEDAY. Jackson and team are thankful for every drop your overflowing generosity is providing!
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