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Working Together for Safe Water Ensuring a safe, clean water supply for communities in Ethiopia is one of the hundreds of ways in which Medical Mission Sisters around the world try to be a healing presence to those in need today. At the Lower Damakase Spring near Wolisso, Ethiopia, a group of development workers from Canada, along with local Christian and Muslim leaders and our Sister Elaine Kohls, recently worked together to ensure a safe water supply for the community. "One unique aspect of this particular community is that there are both Muslims and Orthodox Christians living closely together, and they have been sharing the same spring for as long as anyone could remember," the workers reported. The spring, which had been running for over 140 years, is on Muslim land, but for a long time the Christians have considered it holy water, and used the water in worship in their church. To embark on this new effort, Mr. Ato Endale, the Outreach Development Worker for St. Luke's Hospital, wisely asked the community to select 7 elders to represent the Muslims, and 7 to represent the Christians. After 3 meetings, it looked like the project might not go forward, because the community could not come to an agreement. As they shared a meal together, a compromise was reached. The spring was developed, and the large holding cistern was divided into 2 segments. One segment is for regular community use, with a small section for holy water. The Christians agreed to pay to have the holy water piped to their land, 200 feet away. All 14 elders agreed that the community would supply sand, gravel, masons, and spring development workers. Sister Elaine Kohls, the administrator of St. Luke's Hospital, shares, "The spring is now completed, and the team from the hospital has been invited by both the Christian and Muslim communities for a thank-you meal." The Muslim and Christian elders have signed an agreement regarding the use and management of the spring. "Three Muslim traders from Addis appeared at the hospital," she adds. "They presented Mr. Endale with a gold chain that he now wears…but bedecked with a cross, as he is a strong Orthodox Christian."
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