Families in Papua New Guinea now wake up each morning knowing clean, running water is steps away. The well at Holy Name of Jesus Parish is complete, and after months of challenges and setbacks, water is flowing.

Our original estimate was $6,000, but the final cost reached $10,000. Construction threw us curveball after curveball. At one point, we hit solid rock. We had to bring in heavy equipment just to break through. Then, in a moment of pure irony, our water project was delayed by weeks of torrential rain. But Vincentian International Mission Services (VIMS) donors came through.

Just as the dry season returned, the drilling was finally finished.

Today, no one in this community goes thirsty. Gardens that once struggled in the dry season are now thriving and green (see photos in the gallery!). Mothers don’t have to walk miles for water. Children have more time for school and play. The effects have been immediate, and more importantly, it is sustainable. A well does not just provide water for a day or a month – it is a gift that will keep giving for generations.

Fr. Neil and every single person at Holy Name of Jesus Parish asked me to send their deepest thanks. We are overwhelmed with gratitude as well. You did not just fund a project – you changed lives, strengthened a community, and proved that when people come together with generous hearts, even solid rock cannot stop us.

Thank you for making this sustainable miracle happen.

Source: https://vims1617.org/