August, 2023
Greetings all,
Thank you for visiting our site. We hope you will support our efforts to bring life-saving clean water to those in need in the Catholic diocese of Konongo-Mampong, Ghana. I would like to bring you up to date since my last letter in July, 2022.
As you may know, we began funding wells through the diocese of Goaso, Ghana, in 2014. We completed more than fifty wells there. When they wanted to shift efforts to building a high school in 2019, we began partnering with the Konongo-Mampong diocese. We have completed eleven wells with them so far: Oku, Drobonso, Bompa, Benim (2020); Kokoben, Nkwantakese (2021); Daaho, Jamasi (2022); and Amenase, Dome, Soko (2023). The twelfth well at Adako Jachie is scheduled for dedication this August.
We continue now with our two major fundraising events after a pause during Covid. Our piggy bank campaign with the St. Hugh schoolchildren raised $5,744 in 2022, and $4,660 in 2023. Our annual dinner held in October raised more than $25,000 after expenses. We sent $23,928 to Konongo-Mampong in February for the 2023 projects. Our bank balance as of July 31, 2023, is $62,242, which is enough for six to eight wells depending on the type and the location. The church there can administer two or three wells at a time.
We are indebted to our generous donors. We only operate as a result of the loving hearts of those who recognize the importance of this ministry. Wells cost between $6,000 to $8,000 for a mechanical well up to $13,000 to $15,000 for a solar well. We are pleased to dedicate a well project and erect a sign as someone directs when they donate its cost. We are grateful for all donations, from the coins of the children to the large amounts from those who are able. As always, we maintain expenses at a minimum by paying no salaries and keeping costs as low as possible.
God bless you.
Bob Dudley,
Treasurer, Grove for Ghana.