Do you know what the most common response is when we tell them we work in Central African Republic? Nothing. Usually a blank stare. And I’ve found out that most people know little to nothing about it. I experienced it first hand when my luggage didn’t make it on our plane from Paris into the capital, Bangui. At first I thought, ‘ok - surely I’ll see it by tomorrow or the next day’, but then our partner explained to me that there was only one (yes, I said ‘one’) flight in a WEEK. We were dropped off on a Thursday and we would be picked up the following Thursday. I remember asking myself, ‘does anyone care about CAR?’
That was was until I met our partner on the ground - Integrated Community Development Intentional, and its Executive Director, Jim Hocking. Growing up in Central African Republic and raising his own family there has provided him the opportunity to learn and understand the culture and country. Watching several civil wars over the past ten years has been tough for he and his team but they are resolved to help these people with the most basic element to life - clean water.
Working alongside charity: water, Neverthirst is raising awareness for this much forgotten country and the people who desperately need clean water and a picture of the Gospel. In every village where new wells are being built or broken ones repaired, the ICDI crew has the opportunity to share the Gosple with the people and give them the true reason why they are providing them with clean water. One of the great things about this partner is their desire to not only provide clean water, but to educate the people on matters of health and hygiene practices. 80% of all illnesses are caused by a lack of clean water and proper sanitation.
Ranked 178th out of 179 of the poorest countries in the world with 62% of its population living on less than $1.25 a day, C.A.R. is a country in desperate need of attention. Because 74% of the population lives with no access to clean water, one in five children don’t live to see their fifth birthday. When God led us to start Neverthirst, we knew that He was calling us to the hard to reach areas and the dangerous places that desperately needed clean water and the hope of eternal life. Central African Republic fits that mold - and so we go gladly and willingly to raise awareness and give people hope through the local church.