The children attending Calvary Community School in Lungi, Freetown, have never had running water but now, thanks to Alan’a Africa, with support from the Westminster Group Foundation the youngsters no longer have to draw water from a well a quarter of a mile away.

A five classroom school was funded by the charity in 2010, but without any water at the school. Further support has taken place over the years, including the donation of second hand, good quality desks, chairs, other classroom furniture and equipment from the UK which were shipped out courtesy of Westminster Aviation Security Services Ltd and the 20 foot sea freight container was also donated to the school for secure storage.

Alan stated that one of the things he loves about Pastor Mark’s community, is that they rarely ask for anything. “If they need something, they try a bit of self-help to get things moving,” he said. “Pastor Mark’s community decided to improve their facilities for the school and the church by sinking a well and installing a gravity-fed water system. The community held a collection to kick-start the project and, with the money, raised they were able to complete the well.”

The next phase was to build a tower to house a 5,000-litre tank and, with a submersible pump, water will be pumped up to the tank. A number of taps have been strategically placed around the compound giving a readily available source of fresh, clean water and there are also two flushing toilets, another first for the community

Having been provided with detailed costings for the tower, tank and all the pipework Alan, with support from Westminster Group Foundation promised to fund the work and the project was completed recently.

The system will benefit over 120 children who attend the school, about 250 church members and approximately 1,000 people from the surrounding community and is a major step forward for the entire community.

Pastor Mark was delighted that work on securing running water had been completed.

He said: “Everybody is so excited. For the first time in the church and school’s 20-year history, we have running water. “Members who live close to the school are now coming to fetch water – what a great joy. “Our entire community sends its great appreciation to Alan, the Westminster Group Foundation and Westminster Aviation Security Services Ltd.”