To the Editor:

There are very few people in the United States or Canada who really appreciate all that we have. We can flip a switch and the light goes on. We walk to the faucet for a drink of cold, clean water – no problem. However this not the case for nearly 75 per cent of the world. I know for a fact, this not the case in Kenya.

My name is Vic Hamer and for nearly three years I have volunteered to drill water wells in Kenya. I have seen with my own eyes a herd of cattle drinking and doing what cows do in a small pond, then 10 minutes later a group of women coming to the same pond to fill their water jugs. They then walk back home, many times this is for miles, and then use this water. This is daily life for many Kenyans. They don’t have water and electricity is not available.

I will again return to Kenya in December of this year to drill more wells. Each well is special to me and even more special to those fortunate enough to gather the water. This year I am hoping to drill a well in memory of a great friend – Ches Patzer.

Ches grew up on a small acreage near Ebenezer, Saskatchewan and lived his entire life in this area. For 39 years he worked at Western Grocers in Yorkton. In 1975 he married his beautiful bride, Barb and they had two sons, Adam and James. Then in December of 2011 Ches was diagnosed with cancer. The doctors told Ches he had three months to live, six months at the most. This news would totally upset many people. Ches however shook this news off the best he could and continued to live life day by day. He continued working as much as possible. As always he spent time with his family. And every Sunday he was in church being thankful for all of his blessings. Very few of us realize what Ches Patzer knew – we all are living life – one day at a time.

On March 20, 2012, Ches passed away. He had lived 13 months longer than the medical profession thought possible. So, who really is in charge of our lives – Ches knew. For the example that Ches Patzer set for myself and hundreds of people he did not even know, I hope to drill a well in his memory.

For those who may be interested in making a donation, funds are being accepted at:

Ebenezer Baptist Church attn: Well Fund, Address: Ebenezer Baptist Church, P.O Box, Ebenezer, Saskatchewan, SOA OTO.

Vic Hamer, Sparta, Illinois, & Burgis Beach, SK.