THE founders of a Bratton Clovelly charity which helps provide water for communities in Tanzania say the Korogwe district was the driest they had ever seen it on a recent visit. Vivien England, who visited the area with husband Graham, said: ?Because the autumn rains did not come there was not only a terrible water shortage but also the crops had failed and therefore many areas were without adequate food supplies. ?Generally, although it is a widespread district, the people of Korogwe had access to maize but water was in a very serious situation. ?Some of the local rivers had completely dried out and to use those still with water meant very long distances to travel and facing the danger of both pollution and crocodiles. ?During our visit we were told of two teenagers who were seriously attacked, one of them lost part of her arm.? Vivien and Graham, who founded the Devon Aid-Korogwae charity, were able to see the six wells which had been installed in four villages since their last visit, including the one for which Okehampton Rotary had donated the funds. Vivien said: ?We watched the building and installation of a seventh in a fifth village while we were there. Although the water table was very low all the wells were working as they should and the women had taken it upon themselves to lock the pumps so that they might ration the amount each household could obtain each day for drinking.? The charity has also installed a rainwater harvesting scheme at the local dispensary which is being used as a demonstration point for local people to encourage them to conserve some of the rainfall. The charity has helped 13 villages, and in some villages where Devon Aid-Korogwe had previously provided clean sources they have asked for more wells to help meet their needs. Vivien said the charity had agreed there were more people who needed its help just to obtain some clean water, so the fundraising had to continue. On average it costs approximately £2,000 to £2,500 to survey and install one well. The charity recently held its ninth annual wine and wisdom evening in Bratton Clovelly Parish Hall. Twenty-one teams competed; David Arney compiled and asked the questions while David and Susan Hill were the scorers. Winners were Mr Verschoyle and friends from Boasley. There were many helpers, not least three young ?African? ladies who happen to live in Okehampton, namely Leona Cattrall and friends Rachel Laidlaw and Brieze Read who worked all evening collecting the answer papers. A profit of £618.60 was declared. All the helpers were thanked as were those attending, many of whom have been supporting DAK from the first wine and wisdom evening in 1997. The next function DAK is holding will be on April 19 at Buckland House, Buckland Filleigh when Roger and Christine Cleverdon will be presenting well known songs and music by the famous duo Flanders and Swann. Tickets, including a hot supper, cost £25 each and are available from Millennium Music in the Okehampton Arcade or from the organisers 01837 871310 or 01409 221434.