Local Kentucky Family Gets Water

Judy Popp, who lives at the Motherhouse, started working with a local dad and his daughters, 11 and 14, last September to get them water. They live in a trailer in the city of Loretto, and until almost Easter they hauled their water. 

Using money from the Gethsemane monks, Loretto Special Needs and a few individual donors, Judy bought a 16×16 foot shed and had the delivery men set it on a hill across the road from the trailer, a spot where Judy could hook into township water and sewage. She had a load of gravel dumped up the hill, making a sturdy drive if not actually a road up to the water house. Judy made the arrangements and found the money for the water and sewage hook-ups. That took time. All fall and early winter the Motherhouse breakfast table got occasional reports of progress and set-backs. 

Meanwhile, a toilet and a tub and shower were installed. An electric line was run and a heater and lights installed. The water tank was purchased, along with a washer and dryer. All was directed by Judy.

It was a big day when the water flowed and filled the water tank. Nights were still below freezing but the water house stayed warm. Our Motherhouse painter painted the walls and the water house was open.

The girls and their dad have a trek to get to their bathroom — out their trailer, down the hill, across the road and up the gravel drive. The trailer is too old to try to move. No complaints. The dad said the first day the girls took three baths. 

Judy has a lot of people to thank, from the folks who issued the water line permit, to the truck driver who donated the gravel, to the carpenter who donated his labor to build the steps, to the plumbers and utility installers and painters, and Judy never faltered. She got it done.