The people of Axum, Ethiopia are uniquely positive, openly friendly, and willing to work.  Their single biggest problem – fresh water.

Once fed by underground reservoirs that have been depleted, most water is obtained by surface reservoirs that contain unclean, undrinkable water.  What little water is still fed by wells is high and salt and contaminants and is also undrinkable.  New wells are not easily dug, and once established, require expensive and complicated pumps to extract the small amount of water in the cisterns, making bore holes and other wells unfeasible.

According to the senior medical administrator of St. Mary’s Hospital in Axum, nearly 95 percent of the sickness and disease in Axum is directly attributed to dirty water.  Studies have shown that more than 30 percent of the absenteeism in grade schools is due to sickness caused by dirty water.

There is hope, however. In an agreement reached by the Ethiopian government in the northern region of the area, a nearby reservoir may solve these problems.  But to make it happen, we will need your financial support.  The project seems immense, but for a total cost of $300,000, fresh water can flow into the city of Axum.

How?  Adwa is a town only 50 kilometers from Axum.  In Adwa, there is a huge reservoir that, even in the dry season of the year, contains enough water to service both cities.  Consisting of many acres, the reservoir is over 35 meters deep, giving it immense capacity.  During the rainy season, the spillway, dry during the rest of the year, overflows with water.

A new pump station has been built and paid for by the Ethiopian government, complete with new pumps similar to the ones already used by Adwa and the surrounding area.

Adwa maintains a central filtration system that treats the water pumped from its reservoir that makes the water clean and drinkable.

The Ethiopian government has paid for the pipes that now span the entire distance between the two cities.  Even though the terrain between them is mountainous, two additional pump stations have been built to move the water into Axum. Once in Axum, the pipes arrive at a tank designed to be a gravity-feed system into the city.

The panorama from the tank location shows the size of the city, however there are three distinct parts of the city that must be addressed for water needs.  The Eastern area is the oldest part of the city, and various water and sewage pipes exist that will require work to ensure that no pollution of water lines can take place.  The Western area is much newer and already has underground pipes in place to accept the clean water.  The center section of the city still requires installation of underground pipes to feed central water points and individual homes and businesses that are willing to have water put in.

So, what is needed to put this water system in to the center section of Axum and provide fresh water to the city’s population? Pipe fittings must be purchased and installed, then connected with the central water line coming down from the main tank.  The Mayor of Axum has requested our assistance to fund this project.

Mosaic’s plan is to fund the pipe project and a missionary who will act as project manager for Mosaic and who will train and disciple people in the community.  This project not only achieves the Biblical command to provide for widows and orphans and to serve our fellow man, but it offers an opportunity to give credibility to our representative to conduct ministry and to demonstrate the Christian life.

We have a unique Relationship  with leaders in the city the city. We believe that this is a unique time in the development of Axum as a city, and that  we have been placed in position of great favor.

We Maintained reliability the past few years because of our work sponsoring orphans and providing for their food, clothing and education.

Our approach to ministry is unique – we recognize that we are guests in this Holy city, but people have noticed our selfless attitude and have begun asking us questions that allow us to share the Gospel.

We have been afforded amazing opportunities already, including being asked to teach young priests in training, routinely meeting and fellowshipping with all the city officials, being invited to work on the campus of the University, and connecting with two very influential business men within the community.

We believe that God has shown us great favor in Axum. Our pastor and church elders have all visited the city, and the pastor has taken a keen interest in this mission and is a regular visitor to the city.

Next, Our Current Work is very visible and appreciated in the city.

Children are important in Axum. We are known throughout the town as the people who have kept their word and are continuing to help the children.  When introduced to the chief priest of Axum, our pastor began to introduce himself.  He was cut short by the priest, who told him “I know who you are and what you have been doing in our city.  I appreciate the work you are doing.  I will be happy to do whatever I can to assist you.”

The work with orphans is Developing a generational impact.  Because we are placing these orphans into extended family homes, the support we provide helps not only the orphan, but their entire extended family.  These people all want to know who we are, and why we are helping them.  People of all ages, from the smallest children to the grandmothers and grandfathers know who we are.

Finally, The Future is Bright in Axum.  Things are happening in this city

There is the University with its 5000 students and all the professors and staff from all over Africa, the new Hospital with not only a million patients planned per year but the staff of medical professionals that will run it, and Home construction that is unparalleled in the city.

This project will get funded by someone because it is vitally important work. The Water project is the most significant advance in decades in Axum and will have immediate, positive impact on the entire population of this city.

It Will offer unprecedented credibility for the missionary who is able to be at the heart of the project.

We know this to be true by experience.  On a similar, though smaller scale, a Master’s Mission missionary in Kenya encountered the same health problems and sicknesses in his area caused by dirty water.  After identifying a geo-thermal water source and bringing this clean water into the city, he experienced credibility in all other aspects of his ministry that is still going after 20 years.

Please, SUPPORT our efforts to bring fresh water into Axum, Ethiopia.  Every dollar given goes directly to the work in Axum, we keep nothing for overhead.