20th
We have just heard exciting news from Sinai that after heavy rainfall in Egypt on the 17th January the dams that the Makhad Trust has constructed are now full of water. Our Sinai Manager, Mahmoud Ahmed tells us that all the people in Sinai are happy!
It has not rained properly for 5 years and the land was parched with gardens dying. Last year in February there was a little snow but no rain - only the higher dams collected water.
Rain is so fierce when it comes and the ground hard so that much of the water is lost as it rushes down the wadis out to sea. But our small dams hold up the water so that it can filter down to the water table and in time all the hundreds of wells in the gardens will fill. In addition the water collects silt containing minerals and seeds which will be distributed. Not only will all the orchard trees benefit but new herbs and plants will grow also turning the landscape green.
News of the rainfall has given our supporters who collected funds and constructed the dams great pleasure and no doubt it will give them renewed enthusiasm to construct more dams this year.
A great start to 2010!
