Shall We Gather?

I didn't know how I felt about my housekeeper going to bring water to my house everyday. She goes to the well which is a short distance from my house, and as is the custom, she carries the 30 gallon yellow and white plastic drum on her head, balanced carefully and resting on a coiled cloth against her hair. Smiling and graceful, arms swinging at her side, she returns and sometimes repeats the task depending on my conservation. I have watched the wonderful video produced by our church and I believe it is called "Shall We Gather?" It speaks to the point of gender equality and the empowerment of women, subjects about which I am committed to. If the wells are drilled too far from the villages, it prohibits women from participating in matters of village leadership and removes them from opportunity to participate fully in dialogue and governance. Thinking that water lines and plumbed faucets were the ideal solution, I had missed an important cultural tradition and purpose tied into the gathering ritual. My housekeeper looks forward to going to the well. It is nearby which is important, but it is a time when women exchange information (and perhaps engage in gossip). They see their friends, discuss employment issues, exchange ideas, and they have a good time together. Oh yes, some now use wheelbarrows. There will be a time very soon, when it will lose its relevancy, but for now, more than one purpose is served.