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  Southern Africa
   

                                     

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Ambassador Efird Visits Pandera

The Pandera Community Development Committee in collaboration with Department of Water Affairs and the IRBM team, continues with unbeatable energy to rehabilitate its water system in a quest to provide potable water for their children. The pump house, tank and the taps have been repaired and tested -- and it was a moment for the people of Pandera to see water running from the taps! The spirits are so high in anticipation of clean water that the community team is preparing plans on how to manage and sustain the system.

Their efforts were rewarded by the visit of the US Ambassador to Angola, Mrs. Cynthia Efird, accompanied by Mr. Alonzo Wind, Director for General Development Office from USAID-Angola and Chris Schaan from USAID-Southern Africa to this Southern Angola community in January 2007.

 

 

Walk to the Luahuka River

 

Ambassador with CDC

    

In addition to touring the developments made to rehabilitate the water supply system, the Ambassador held briefing discussions with the Chair of the Community Development Committee, the leaders of the various implementing committees, technicians from the water department and the ACADIR-WorldVision - IRBM team.

 

The visit not only gave the Ambassador and Mr. Wind an insight on some of the USAID-IRBM community activities in Kuando-Kubango, Angola and the challenges faced, but provided motivation for the communities and the implementing team.  Pandera residents were pleased to meet with her as she showed interest in their issues and appreciated efforts made to improve the management of water resources.  The Ambassador was particularly impressed by the collaborative effort displayed by the community and the provincial government.

 

Purifying system at Luahuka River

            Repairing the water tap

Water from the rehabilitated system

Ambassador chatting with Pandera people

 

“I am delighted she came and showed interest in what the community has done. For me as a community worker, it gives me courage and it promotes the efforts in helping the community realize their dreams” Americo Filipe, IRBM community mobiliser.