A field pond is roughly 5 metres by 10 metres, with a depth of 5 metres. For the pond to be viable, the ground needs to consist of heavy clay, which is not porous and will not allow the water to seep away. In fact, the field ponds constructed this way collect water from groundwater seepage, as well as rain, which helps to compensate for water lost through evaporation. A field pond can help a farmer ‘store’ water from the wet season to use in more dry times for watering small areas of crops. Many families also stock fish in the pond as an added source of both food and income.

To construct a field well costs US$150, whereas it costs US$350 to build a field pond. The ponds are more expensive, as a local contractor with digging equipment has to be brought in to do the work. In both cases, the families are asked to contribute $50 towards the cost, a very significant sum in real terms to the families, but this ensures the families ‘help themselves’ which is the foundational philosophy of the Tabitha organization. The families are encouraged to save through the Tabitha Savings Program. Tabitha is committed to providing the rest of the money through donations.

Please consider whether you could give the gift of water to these villagers: SGD$375 will provide a field well and SGD$525 will enable us to construct a field pond.

Donate and make a difference today!

If you have any questions about field wells and ponds, please contact Steven Leonard at info@tabithasingapore.com

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