Hope Spot 4 – Down the drain

No, ‘down the drain’
does not refer to my team
Collingwood’s chances this AFL season.

Last week I told you about your ALWS success in building a 635 metres long canal in Ethiopia.

Water is flowing. Crops are flourishing. Farmers are excited.

Today I want to tell you about something much smaller you helped build.

A drain.

Just 12 metres long.

Yet, this 12 metres drain you helped build
is just as lifesaving. Especially for children.

Let me show you.

We’re going into the world’s largest refugee camp, at Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh. Nearly one million people live here, Rohingya people forced from their homes in Myanmar.

Most have been here since 2017.

One of those people is young dad, Tofail:

“In Myanmar, I worked as a fisherman and a
farmer, and could support my family …

… then, the government confiscated our belongings
and imposed heavy taxes.

It became difficult to survive.

The government would torture and persecute
our people, so we were forced to leave for
Bangladesh.”

You might wonder how any country could welcome and care for one million refugees – now look at the facts about Bangladesh, compared to Australia:

It’s no wonder Tofail says there are so many challenges living in this refugee camp:

“After arriving in Bangladesh, life became very difficult for us.
We had nothing. We couldn’t even bring clothes.
It was a painful time. At times, we didn’t even have a place to stay.

One big challenge was the bad odor and unhygienic condition
in front of house from the lack of proper drain.
People couldn’t live in their houses due to the stench.”

This is where you stepped in.

Not literally, but through ALWS, and our Bangladesh partner RDRS.

You supported families like Tofail’s to clean drains, build new ones, and spray stagnant water to kill mosquito larvae to prevent malaria.

While you didn’t have to step in literally, Tofail did …

The work was hard, hot and unpleasant.

Yet Tofail says every drop of sweat was worth it:

“The drainage improvements have made a significant impacto
n our health and daily lives.

Previously, the smell was unbearable, there was water-logging,
kids and people would fall sick.

Now, people can sleep peacefully without discomfort.

I thank the donor in Australia for your support.”

You can see the results of your efforts in Tofail’s family photo …

Tofail’s children are two of the 75,000 children ALWS aims to support with school, food and safety, in thanks to God for 75 years of ALWS service.

So, while you may think your help here has gone ‘down the drain’ …

… that’s exactly what your 12 metres of drain is designed to do!

Thank you for ‘channelling’ your kindness through ALWS – you are a blessing ALWayS!

PS: You are welcome to be part of our 75,000 children thanksgiving for 75 years of ALWS service – find out more here.