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	A letter from Joseph and Shanthi Rajanesan in Pakistan

	January 6, 2005 News and notes from the Thal Project, Pakistan The Thal Project has its origins in the early 1950s, when landless people from all over Pakistan were being resettled in the Thal desert following the construction of new irrigation canals that made agriculture possible in the area. At that time, both Christian and Muslim villages were established. Because the area was remote and undeveloped, various missionaries worked to establish schools, roads, and churches in the Christian villages. Informal efforts were made to develop grain stores, improve the irrigation channels, and provide other services to six Protestant villages.

	Water flowing from a tube well, which penetrates about 500 feet below ground. It is located directly alongside an irrigation canal, as you can see the photograph immediately below. The wells are the only reliable source of water for crops in the Thal desert, where drought is common. Annual rainfall is only about 6-8 inches, and it rains about 2-5 days per year. The irrigation canals can carry water to any close farms in the area. However, not all areas have been reached yet. We have seven wells in operation, with plans to make 13 more as soon as additional funds are received, so that all farms in the area can be irrigated. An irrigation canal. The soil throughout the Thal Desert area is very sandy. It is virtually inmpossible for this sand to hold any water above its surface.				The new residents made progress in the development of the area until floods submerged much of the newly developed farmland. Lacking good natural drainage, the excess water remained for a long time. When the waters finally receded, the farmers found that much of their land was no longer useful for farming, due to the high water table and the invasion of weedy growth that thrived in the remaining high water table. Many of the families that had been granted plots in these areas were forced to abandon these areas and migrate to urban areas in search of employment. The Thal Project has been working with residents to address their problems since the 1970s. We’ve had programs in agriculture and irrigation, basic infrastructure, and community participation and organization. We were greatly supported by various organizations, especially the Presbyterian Hunger Program, which helped us a lot in reclaiming several acres of waterlogged land. Reclaimed waterlogged land needs fresh water for irrigation. Now Pakistan is facing a very serious drought due to the lack of rains and snowfall in the mountains. Last year’s winter crop has been completely ruined in the rain-irrigated areas. In our Thal desert area all the chick peas and 50 percent of the wheat crop were solely dependent on rains. The fields in rain-fed areas have become barren. It was found that one acre of land can only produce feed for five cows for one day.

	The lack of water for irrigation is very alarming, and people and farmers are seeking alternative measures to meet the needs. The water crisis is a natural disaster and it is not easy to solve. The Thal Project continues to work with farmers in exploring alternate irrigation techniques and cropping patterns to make maximum use of available water. To drill tube wells on each individual farm is very costly for the poor Thal farmers. A community tube well is the only feasible solution available. One tube well for a certain limited community. The communities in the Thal area have identified the community tube well as a way to make better use of the available water. Though the need for the tube well is the only solution for the water crises, the cost of drilling a tube well is still a formidable obstacle for the poor Thal community.

	With the help of Presbyterian Hunger Program we have successfully completed seven community tube wells in our Thal area. We have plans to drill 20 more tube wells in our Thal Christian village areas. However, we need to consider drilling community tube wells in the surrounding Muslim village areas as well. The Thal project wishes to acknowledge the assistance and cooperation it has received from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and especially the Presbyterian Hunger Program; various individuals within local and provincial government offices; officers in regional agricultural experiment stations; members of the local village councils, and of course the Thal villagers themselves—for advice, encouragement, assistance, and cooperation. Joseph Rajanesan Mission co-worker Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 112				Camels are an extremely important means of transportation in the Thal Desert region. In emergencies, they have even been used as ambulances! Here they are adjusting to modern life, walking on paved roads.

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