Wonderful Water

The overall goal of World Water Day is to raise the profile, at the political level, of water quality so that water quality considerations are given weight alongside those of water quantity. The theme chosen for World Water Day 2010 was Clean Water for a Healthy World.  

On Monday, 22nd, World Water Day, I was returning by road from Yambio to Juba, a journey of just under nine hours, with Solidarity with Southern Sudan (SSS) members. At Mundrie we were delayed briefly while the president of the South, Salva Kiir, and his entourage, drove past travelling from the airport into the town – part of his election campaigning. There were some soldiers around and there was some evident excitement among the people but it was a pleasantly calm and peaceful atmosphere.

When we had driven out on Friday from Juba to Yambio, there had been rain during the previous couple of days. In fact the puddles on the road and the slippery surface were evidence of extensive rain in this region. We were grateful for the lack of dust. Much of the countryside was dry and arid and some had been burned. The rain had brought forth many small green shoots. By Monday, the transformation was extraordinary as a strong green layer then obscured our vision of the parched or burned earth. Water, wonderful water, had initiated stunning new growth! 

During our trip we passed several pumps and noted the long line of jerry cans lined up to be filled with this life-giving liquid. Brother Jorge spoke [...]