Meet Grace
Grace Rabson
Meet Grace. Grace seems older than her 62 years. Dysentery has made her very frail. She has no-one to support her, so she makes the hazardous journey to the scoop hole herself every single day.
“I am very old. I can’t walk all this distance to fetch some water. I manage to get two buckets a day, one for bathing, and one for the household chores – and that’s all. Sometimes, if I fail to collect the water, I just take the dirty clothes, and go to the river wash there and then come back home.”
Collecting water is not only tiring, but dangerous too. “The men from the village dig a little deep well, but it is too deep.” The journey is also hazardous. “You cannot go alone”, Grace says. “So we go there in groups, as we know the area, the bush, is dangerous.”
All this, for water that’s dirty and full of parasites.
“I know this water is not safe”, Grace says, “but we have no option. When I was sick with dysentery, my relatives were very good to me. They gave me some money so that I could go and pay for my medication at the hospital.”
“With that diarrhoea I lost a lot of blood. So health wise I am not OK. I am weak.”
This summer, you’ll see how having a latrine at her home and safe water nearby will give Grace a new lease of life.
“I can’t tell you how happy I will be if I can see a borehole in this village. There will be joy!”
Follow Grace’s story over the summer and see how access to clean, safe water and sanitation changes her life forever.
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Every pound you donate before 18 September will be doubled by the UK Government – so we can give twice as much help. If you are a UK taxpayer you can also add Gift Aid to your donation at no cost to you. £10 + Government matching = £20. Plus Gift Aid = £22.50 = more lives transformed.
Every penny we raise through The Big Dig Appeal will help to transform lives forever in Malawi.
Hi Grace I hope you get better soon. I am 8 years old and thinking of you. I have sent in some money for you, goodbye.
How thoughtful Josh. Thank you so much. We’ll pass your message onto Grace and I know it will make her smile.
Angharad
Dear Grace, My prayer for you today: May you prosper & know God’s blessing & protection over your life.
Dear Grace, I know that it is all very well for some people to sit in the comfort of their homes and make comments but I really am glad that this project is able to happen to make life easier for you and those around you. Best wishes for the future.
Thanks for your comment Madeline. We’ll be sure to pass your message on to Grace, whom I know will appreciate it dearly. Thanks Angharad
Dear Grace. You are such a brave lady. You may feel weak, but you have a strong heart. I am overwhelmed by how hard you work to collect water. I hope the Big Dig will bring you the safe, clean water that you need. My thoughts are with you, and I send you the very best wishes. Xxx
Dear Grace, you are a very brave woman as I can see how you have to go through allot of hardship to get water. My prays are with you and I am really wish that the project set out is able to provide you with the clean water you need without going through the difficult ordeal that you endure. I will contain to donate as you are truly inspirational woman. Keep strong and keep the faith. Lots of love. xxx