The Umbombo region of South Africa is situated in northern Kwa-Zulu Natal, the home of the Zulu people. There are normally about seven members in a Zulu family. In accordance with tradition, the Zulu people who reside in this region live in isolated extended family units (kraals) surrounded by communal land, which is used for cultivation of crops and grazing. Their households are therefore widely scattered and access into these areas, which are generally characterised by rolling sand dunes, is often limited to rudimentary tracks and footpaths.

Normal basic-service delivery is made difficult due to the sandy conditions, but more so these services are not available simply due to the inability to recover any of the expense incurred. The population is simply unable to pay for water.

The program initiated under CBN is aimed at delivery of basic levels of water supply to problem areas, which have never had any access to even the most basic levels of domestic quality water supply.

The existing sources of water are pit wells and catchments that are in the area. The water table is close to the surface between 4 - 20 meters allowing access to the water by simply digging a pit. Although the distance is not far to the water, the very nature of pit wells is that these pits are contaminated by feeding livestock, sewerage runoff, washing of clothes and people, resulting in frequent outbreaks of cholera. This was the only source of water until they received the well made possible by a CBN partner.

The immediate benefit goes to the Samson Ngubane family as the well provides safe drinking water and water for the household chores such as washing of clothes. It is even being used to water the small vegetable gardens and is being used to manufacture building blocks. One comment was, "Life is easier with the well right here, and I have been able to help my neighbours with water as well."

Life is tough for these rural people as it is. The benefits of providing safe water affects all aspects of their lives from cleaning the harvested vegetables to feeding baby with healthy cereal mix. Eradicating the diseases that plagued them before will improve their quality of life immensely. They have all received training in hygiene and the maintenance of their well.

The dedication prayer was held on Saturday, June 26, 2004 at the well site in Umbombo. The African people are very aware of the spiritual world, as they have been exposed to both the darkness and the light. This is the first church initiative of this nature. Its aim is to promote the believers in the area who, as in the book of Acts, will attract the non-believers through the love of God and bring them to Christ. One of the most outstanding outcomes of the the dedication was the simple heartfelt gratitude that someone cared enough to share with them and make a difference to their quality of life.

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