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BRAZIL: People living in 2 villages have 6 artesian wells thanks to Salesian Ambulant Mission Assistance project

BRAZIL

(MissionNewswire) People living in the villages of Campinápolis and Aldeia Corpo de Cristo in Brazil have six artesian wells for clean water access thanks to the Salesian Ambulant Mission Assistance project, an initiative of the Brazil-Campo Grande Province. Salesians built the new wells to make up for the serious lack of water in the region. More than 50 families have benefited.

The Ambulant Mission Assistance project, led by Salesian Brother Alois Würstle, provides technical support to Salesians who work in missions with indigenous populations, especially with the Xavante and Boe-Bororo ethnic groups.

UN-Water estimates that worldwide 2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water services and by 2050, the world’s population will have grown by an estimated 2 billion people, pushing global water demand up to 30 percent higher than today. One in four primary schools has no drinking water service, with students using unprotected water sources or going thirsty. In addition, UN-Water notes that more than 700 children under 5 years of age die every day from diarrheal disease linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation.

“Water is essential for life,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Improving water access, which is especially needed in remote areas of Brazil, brings a sense of dignity to children and their families and ensures they have access to proper hygiene and safe drinking water. This reduces the number  of waterborne illnesses that affects these villages.”

The World Bank estimates that about 28.6 million Brazilians moved out of poverty between 2004 and 2014. But from the start of 2016 to the end of 2017, the World Bank estimates that 2.5 million to 3.6 million fell back below the poverty line earning less than 140 Brazilian reais per month. Economists blame high unemployment, near 13 percent, and cuts to key social welfare programs for challenges in Brazil.

Issues of income inequality and social exclusion remain the root causes for those in poverty. Inequalities also exist in access to education and educational efficiency. These inequalities are greatest for children and youth who are poor, live in rural areas or who have an incomplete compulsory education. Salesians working with poor youth and their families in Brazil develop programs and provide youth with opportunities for furthering their education and skills.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS) 

ANS – Brazil – AMA project delivers 6 artesian wells to indigenous villages

Salesian Missions – Brazil

UN Water

World Bank – Brazil