By Desiree Hensley

Short term missionaries Mark and Desiree Hensley of Sharps Chapel, along with Melanie Hurst of Maynardville recently returned from an 18-day mission trip to Uganda. It was Melanie’s first mission trip. Melanie plans to go on more mission trips and return to Uganda in the future. The trio joined a Hope 4 Kids International team comprised of 26 individuals from churches across the U.S. While there, they had the privilege of celebrating the opening of a borehole in the remote village Buwasyeba in Manafwa District that was funded with donations raised by the Walk 4 Water Union County event of May 2024.

They first visited the original water source that was used by five villages of about 3,000 people. It was an open pond that was in use up until October 2024 when the borehole was drilled. The pond was created by runoff from rains in a hole surrounded by crops. The rains brought waste, chemicals, and fertilizer to the pond which was also used for bathing and was shared with animals. Villagers suffered from typhoid, cholera, and dysentery caused by the bacteria in the water. These diseases cause death, with as many as 50 percent of children dying before the age of six.

Once funds were received for the borehole, Hope 4 Kids brought in hydrologists to determine the best site to drill. In the case of Buwasyeba Village, the best drilling site was on a church property. The local pastor did not hesitate donating church property to accommodate the well and help thousands of his neighbors receive the gift of safe, clean water.

The Hensleys also traveled to Uganda last July on a short term mission trip with Hope 4 Kids International and were able to celebrate the opening of the well in Kaseun, Bukedea, that was also funded with donations raised by the Walk 4 Water Union County event of May 2024. Mark was able to baptize over 50 people at that celebration.

Walk 4 Water Union County is planning its next event for Saturday, June 7, 2025, beginning and ending at the Union County Farmer's Market.