WorldWide Drilling Resource

by Tim Rasmussen This month, the WWDR focus is on history. In keeping with the theme, Water For Life began as an endeavor of volunteers led by Gary Bartholomew to solve a contaminated water problem at an orphanage and school in the Petén region of northeast Guatemala. After adopting a child, Gary and his wife Angie kept in touch with the orphanage. Over the years, they visited several times to assist with various projects. The orphanage and school was functioning by using water delivered by a submersible pump in the river, but as the population increased and the villages upstream developed, the water became more and more contaminat- ed. When a teacher and student nearly died of illness from amoebas, Gary decided to try and do something about it. His first efforts were to begin installation of the infrastructure necessary for a water system. One year, he installed 4000 feet of sewage line, going from each structure into a main and then out into the jungle into a lagoon. The next year, it was water supply pipes from a central supply main to each building for the hoped-for water supply. To get to the water, he inquired and eventually hired a Guatemalan well drilling company. They came, worked sporadically over several months, and finally pronounced they had achieved a good supply. Gary was happy to have the prospects of the water and delivered the last of the $20,000 for the cost of the drilling. His joy was short-lived. When he arrived and tested the well, it would not produce much at all, and he discovered a bit was broken at the bottom of the hole. When confronted with the problem, the drilling contractor shrugged his shoulders and offered to start over. Gary could see this was going nowhere. With hope born of desperation, Gary placed an ad for someone to donate a drilling rig to assist his efforts in Guatemala. R. Stadeli and Sons of Silverton, Oregon, answered the ad with a donation of a completely refurbished 1950 22-W on a 1946 GMC military 6X6. Gary then started the rig on its long journey to the highland jungles of Guatemala. Upon arrival, the drill was put to work right away. That first year, three wells were drilled in the area to supply the orphanage and school. The students and faculty were overjoyed they had a good supply of clean, safe water. After seeing the success, leaders from villages in the area came seeking help for their peo- ple. The need was great. The drill was there - why not put it to work helping those villages? This was the beginning of the work of Water For Life in Guatemala. Over the years, the needs have grown and so has the ability of Water For Life to meet those needs. The Good Lord intervened many times to continue the work of this old drill, and every season i t st i l l pounds away, drilling wells to assist the poor people of the region who have no access to safe drinking water. Water For Life now has three cable drills, a rotary drill, a small fleet of trucks, accommodations and repair facilities, and a steady supply of volunteers. If you want to change the world and have a heart to help people, please join us. If you would like to help, contact Gary Bartholomew at 509-466-5075 or 509-939-1941 Tim Tim Rasmussen may be contacted via e-mail to michele@ worldwidedrillingresource.com ENV 38 SEPTEMBER 2019 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® November Issue Deadlines! Space Reservation: September 25 th Display & Classified Ad Copy: October 1 st