Barnabas watched his neighbour pour precious water into a bottle. His well had run dry and he had no water for his crops or his family, and he was thankful for the neighbour’s kindness. The bottle, just enough to cook their rice, would need to last an entire day for a family of seven.
They say the drought is Vietnam’s worst in nearly 100 years. Many farmers’ crops have failed for lack of water. Without water we cannot irrigate our rice fields or coffee plantations, so we have no income.
Barnabas could only afford to drill a 12-metre well, but it has gone dry. Their youngest son has serious medical problems following a lack of oxygen during birth.
For the past two months I have had to walk to my neighbours and beg for water. I never thought I would have to do that.
Aid Distribution International provided funds for Barnabas to dig his well deeper, to reach a good water source for his family and farm. We have also provided bags of rice and are helping to cover his son’s medical expenses.