When Erie Benedictine Sister Marian Wehler and Mercy Sister Tina Geiger, who minister together in Catholic Rural Ministry, presented a Tanzanian village’s need for “Life-Saving Water” to students in Lucinda, Clarion, and Oil City Catholic Schools during Lent last year, the students were eager to help. In a few weeks they collected over $1,250 for the villagers and this was matched by adults donations. Soon more donations poured in until more than $7,000 was raised for the “Life-Saving Water” by October 2023 when the project was to begin. Sister Marian lived and taught at a Catholic high school in Tanzania for seven years and has visited different countries in Africa on multiple occasions and so knows first-had of the need.

Unfortunatley, rains came early last year and interrupted the work at about 25% completion. Work is continuing this year.

Even so, the people in Naalarami Village in Tanzania have water. Due to the climate crisis, the women had been walking five miles to a water hole which was becoming contaminated due to elephants moving in after their water sources had dried up. These generous students, by living the spirit of Laudato Sí, Care for our Common Home, and hearing the cry of the poor were an inspiration to many adults to help create a reservoir of life-giving water near the village. Pope Francis published his encyclical Laudato Sí on the environment and our responsibility to care for our earth in 2013. It is a great source of reflection for all of us as we face the climate crisis today and choose to live in harmony with all creation.