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Good wishes from the Southwest. It is hot - it is extremely hot. We have been hovering around the 100 degree mark for a couple of weeks now. This by itself is not so bad, but when the wind blows, the dirt, dust, and grit are stifling.We are in a drought. Although we had some moisture early in the month, it is still excessively dry. The cattle are having trouble finding grass to stay alive. Although they are getting flooded east of us, we are bone dry. Please pray that we get some rain soon. As you probably know, water shortages are a severe problem in the desert Southwest. Our Native people on the reservations are constantly fighting to get water. Few homes have running water, wells are very deep under the earth's surface (usually over 1000 feet below), and children often get tainted water that causes sickness and disease.
The Southwest Indian Foundation started back in the mid 1960's. Our first projects were drilling water wells. We drilled twenty-six wells in a fifty-mile radius. We still maintain these wells. Literally hundreds of families rely on these wells for their primary source of water. Many times, the families must travel large distances to the wells to fetch water. This causes undue hardships on the families, especially the elderly.
Gabriel Bitsilly is an 11 year-old boy that fetches water in a bucket for his grandmother once a day. I saw Gabriel at the well this last week. He greeted me by wiping the sweat and grime from his face. He commented on how the water was a bit browner these days, and how it took longer for the water to be pumped to the surface.
For Gabriel, his little gallon bucket is sufficient for his grandmother's needs. She can make that water go a long way. For many, flowing water is taken for granted. For my people, it is a golden commodity.
There are those that can't get by with a one-gallon bucket. For this reason, the Southwest Indian Foundation has been issuing 55 gallon water barrels to families (and extended families) for many years.
SWIF drilled over 20 water wells years ago. We still maintain those wells. With the drought and the high usage, it is inevitable that a pump or a cable will go out. We have to be ready and waiting to repair the wells, otherwise our families will be without water.
As I look out the window and see the wind blow dust and sand across the high desert, I think of my people. I think of Gabriel, his grandmother and how hard their life is. I think of how most Americans would be horrified if they knew the conditions most of my people live in.
Then I think of the one commodity that we all must have to live - water. We all need water. My people need water. Would you please help us assure the flow of water to my people? Won't you be generous? I know if there was a thirsty Indian child at your front door, you would run to your faucet and pour a large glass of cool water. We have many thirsty children in our area. Please help me keep the wells pumping and the life flow going.
