In January of 2003 GAiN Canada (New Life World Aid's implementation partner) was asked if it could assist the people of Benin in providing clean, disease free drinking water.  Field staff visited Benin in August of 2003.  What they found were thousands of people living in villages throughout  Benin suffering the effects of water borne disease such as cholera and dysentery.  These illnesses cause children to have large distended bellies and severely impact the ability of the individual to carry out work in this agrarian based economy.  Most people in Benin gather water from contaminated water sources in ditches and springs.  Many villages have also had infestations of guinea worm which is picked up from these water sources.

In a meeting with the First Lady of Benin, GAiN Canada was thanked for caring about the physical needs of her people.  She then asked what could be done about the spiritual needs.  The First Lady was immediately introduced to Campus pour Christ, Benin and an agreement was made to work with GAiN Canada/New Life World Aid and Campus pour Christ, Benin to help meet both the physical and spiritual needs of this African group of people.

In December of 2003 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between  GAiN Canada/New Life World Aid, Campus pour Christ Benin and the Government of Benin to provide well drilling equipment to dig water wells.  The first wells will be dug in October 2004 .  New Life World Aid in partnership with GAiN Canada will train Benin nationals to operate the drilling equipment so that they can provide clean water for the people of Benin into the future.

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