Water for Life/All expands in Africa

Sculpture of a person pumping water from a well, made from broken guns and weapon parts in Maputo, Mozambique. Photo: Church World Service

October 23, 2006

“. . .. They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4, NRSV).

This sculpture of a person pumping water from a well is made entirely of broken guns and weapon parts. It was created by Mozambican artists working with the Christian Council of Mozambique. The weapons-for-tools exchange is supported by Church World Service.

In choosing peace, communities choose life. Church World Service support for development projects such as wells helps provide life-sustaining water for all.

The Water for Life / Water for All Program is expanding its reach across Africa. Sixteen organizations represented by 34 individuals from five countries took part in a workshop with the Church World Service East Africa Office in April. Church World Service’s Education & Advocacy Program joined the Social & Economic Development Program in this event.

The workshop was the second in a series which seeks to advance the work of Kenyan partners, and their creation of a Water for All network.

The workshop served as an introduction to CWS’s Multiple Solutions model for representatives of other partner organizations from Malawi, Niger, Burkina Faso and Senegal. Pilot projects in these areas have begun, with a focus on community-based management. The projects involve installing and protecting multiple water sources. Partners are mobilizing communities to learn more about their countries’ water policies and collaborate more closely with their national governments.