In
a remote region in the west
of Brazil, about 280 km from Cuiabá, in the State of
Matto Grosso, one can find Sangradouro village, the home of
nearly 2,000 Xavante and 400 Bororo Indians. Considered primitive
by the developed world’s standards, these indigenous people
preserve their way of life and culture with the assistance of
the Salesians of Don Bosco.
Like so many other native peoples in other countries, the
Xavante and Bororo have found their existence threatened as
their lands and natural resources have been invaded by outsiders
using modern technologies and new farming methodologies. As
more and more large farms were created to produce cash crops,
the indigenous peoples found themselves confined to smaller
and smaller geographical areas. Since the land must be continuously
farmed with no chance for replenishing itself the rich soil
has been depleted of its nutriment. With the increased use
of pesticides that are washed into rivers, and the presence
of human waste in the once pure waters of the rivers in the
area, large numbers of adults and children in the tribes have
died due to disease and pollution.
Seeing this tragic situation,
Bro. Luiz Wurstle, S.D.B., was distressed. He knew that he
had to do something about the situation.
It was eminently clear to him that the Indians needed to have
pure water once again if they were to survive. His creative
inventions have given the Indians life giving water –
and fun.
Drilling wells for the Xavante
and Bororo Indians
Nearly four decades ago, Bro. Wurstle began
drilling wells for the Xavante and Bororo Indians
Without
electricity to power pumps to bring the water up from
the deep wells he was drilling, Bro. Wurstle used
another source of energy, the energy of people at
play. He invented and patented a seesaw pump that
would draw water from the depths of the well as children
enthusiastically played on the seesaw.
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throughout
the Matto Grosso region they inhabit. As the years progressed,
he has been able to increase the number of wells drilled,
and has continually improved his methods to drill the wells
more efficiently and economically. In the past few years he
designed a mobile drilling truck that has allowed him to enter
areas that were previously inaccessible, or that were at least
considered too costly to reach in the past.
Without electricity to power pumps to bring the water up from
the deep wells he was drilling, Bro. Wurstle used another
source of energy, the energy of people at play. He invented
and patented a seesaw pump that would draw water from the
depths of the well as children enthusiastically played on
the seesaw. Adults also took turns pumping water for their
domestic and culinary needs when they saw how much fun it
could be to do so.
Reducing of illness and disease
While the seesaw pumps
continue to function when needed, the newer wells are constructed
with solar panels. This innovation has allowed the Indians
to have more potable water at their disposal and has helped
them to reduce the amount of illness and disease in their
communities.
Bro.
Wurstle, SDB, the inspiration and guide of the Mobile
Missionary Assistance Project poses with Fr. Pascual
Chavez, SDB, our Rector Major, during his visit to Matto
Grosso. |
What
was once an immediate response to a crisis in a communityhas
now become a well organized and collaborative project called
the AMAMobile Missionary Assistance Project. Not only has
this program provided wells for the Xavantes and Bororos,
but the collaborative work of the Salesians and laity of the
region has provided the necessary infrastructure for improving
the quality of life of these indigenous peoples. Roads, bridges,
and more recently, hydroelectric plants, have all been added
to villages. The team has also introduced some alternative
methods of farming to increase crop production. Farm machinery
and vehicles are now quite common in the Indian villages,
and this has allowed the Indians to expand the area they can
cultivate. All of this has contributed to the improvement
of the nourishment and health of the tribes as well as for
the growth of these Indian groups that had been on the verge
of extinction.
A young girl gathers water for her grandmother. |
Your generosity has helped
Readers will be pleased
to know that contributions received in our office here in
New Rochelle have financed the construction of some of the
wells used by the Xavantes and Bororos. Your generosity has
also financed Bro. Wurstle’s mobile drilling truck.
About
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