(ANS – Brazzaville – October 23, 2026) – One race, four wells, water for the Congo. This is the project that Missioni Don Bosco, the Salesian Mission Office in Turin, Italy, will present at the upcoming Corsa dei Santi, an annual footrace held in Rome on November 1 to celebrate All Saints’ Day. Once again, this charitable event, dedicated to the feast of All Saints and supporting the most vulnerable, will offer professional runners and families a morning of fun and celebration with a purpose.

The Congo Needs Safe Water

The Republic of the Congo is rich in forests, plant and animal life, and mighty rivers. Its underground resources also have the potential to support the socioeconomic development of the entire population. However, precarious living conditions and poverty remain daily realities for families, especially those living in sprawling urban outskirts and rural areas.

One of the major challenges is the lack of safe drinking water. People collect and drink water from rivers and natural reservoirs, exposing themselves to the risk of infectious diseases. Because these sources are often far from villages and many informal settlements, residents must walk long distances to collect water. This burden frequently falls on mothers and school-age children, placing additional strain on families and communities.

A Water Network for Communities

To address this need, Salesian missionaries in the Republic of the Congo plan to construct wells and water distribution systems at four locations: the underserved neighborhoods of Massengo in Brazzaville and Côte-Matève in Pointe-Noire, as well as the rural towns of Gamboma and Mindouli.

The project will begin with a geophysical survey, followed by drilling and the installation of pumps. Construction will then proceed with the erection of metal towers and the installation of water tanks to ensure adequate storage. Once this phase is complete, a distribution network will carry water to various locations throughout the communities, with designated water collection points.

Upon completion, the project is expected to achieve important strategic goals that will improve the lives of at least 15,000 people.

The Corsa dei Santi

The project will be Missioni Don Bosco’s featured initiative for the 2026 edition of the Corsa dei Santi.

From October 26 through November 8, donors can support the initiative by calling the charitable giving number 45589. Given the significant financial investment required, fundraising will continue until the project is completed. Don Bosco’s missionaries have already raised a substantial amount locally to support families living on subsistence incomes, and donations from Italy will supplement these efforts.

For more information about the project, visit the Missioni Don Bosco website. Details about the Corsa dei Santi are available on the official event website.