Lighting the World with a clean water “Gratitude Parade”

A “Gratitude Parade” on the volcanic island of Fogo in Cabo Verde began spontaneously as families   expressed their thanks for final access to clean water to Elder Jeff Brock and Sister Judy Brock, Humanitarian missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In 2021, the Church offered to donate resources to help connect 150 families, living at the top of the Fogo mountains, to clean water. The summit of Fogo is the highest point in Cabo Verde at 2,829 metres (9,281 feet).

These families spend an average of three hours every day collecting water for their survival. The burden of that chore falls heavily upon the women as the men journey daily with their hoes to farm the steep mountain side for vegetables.

This water project on the island of Fogo was aimed at bringing the “last mile” of clean water directly to these homes via a spigot with a water metre to assess usage and cost.

Each family contributed to the effort by digging the last fifteen metres of lava rock to lay the pipe that would carry the water to their home saying it was, “an honour to dig.”

Sister Brock explained, “Because of Covid, we would be the first missionaries to inspect the project and assess the progress. What was intended to be a very private visit viewing a few water lines connected to individual homes, turned into a ‘Gratitude Parade.’ Before we knew it, government officials and the mayor were joining us in the parade.”

Elder Brock added, “Each family wanted to show us their spigot and ability to fill their buckets with water. They wanted to shake our hands. They all poured out their profound gratitude to Church members who donated the resources for this life-changing gift.”

Reflecting on the experience in Fogo, Sister Brock said, “We feel blessed by the people’s humble gratitude and are inspired to work and accomplish more than we ever could do on our own.”