AFTER successfully helping a Tanzanian community to build one well a Bratton Clovelly-based charity is now raising money for two more.

Vivien England, chairman of Devon Aid ? Korogwe, an offshoot of Devon Aid, has recently returned from the village of Kwasemangube to see the work carried out on the first well.

?It was important to see what had happened to the money and the work that was being done out there,? said Mrs England.

The project was launched some six years ago when Mrs England and her husband invited fellow members of the Bratton Clovelly community to support the project with fund-raising efforts.

?It costs between £2,000 and £2,500 to install a well, depending on the location,? said Mrs England.

?We are now putting in a further two wells for this village but we have had requests for help from many other villages in the whole Korogwe district.?

The Englands? interest in the area arose from a holiday spent in Tanzania which led to a desire to give something back.

?The locals need a desperate amount of help. They have dug shallow wells which become polluted by cattle and mud. They need the concrete rings and the pumps of a proper well,? said Mrs England.

?But we don?t hand the wells to them on a plate ? they have to make a contribution with labouring or some small amount of money. They need to feel they have had an input.?

She said as well as serving a vital function the well has become a meeting place for the local women.

?It is good to know that the hard work fundraising over here is being appreciated over there because it is hard work fundraising.?

Devon Aid ? Korogwe has been asked to provide other facilities but it has decided to concentrate on helping to facilitate wells.

?There are so many villages in need of water, which is one of the main priorities of life, that we will stick with water for our financial efforts. But we still may be able to help with advice regarding other issues.? said Mrs England.

She said the trustees were very grateful to the people of West Devon who had offered consistent support to the cause.

The next fundraising event will be the annual Wine and Wisdom evening in Bratton Clovelly Parish Hall on Friday, March 21 at 7.30pm. For further details call Vivien England on (01837) 871310 or David Arney on ( 01409) 221434.