Quebec Shooting Victim's Dream to Build Wells Comes Closer to Reality

With his murder, this dream, among so many other dreams, seemed lost forever.

However, following articles in LaPresse and CBC about Mamadou Barry's  dream to build this well, diverse community members from Montreal and Quebec City came together to fulfill his dream.

The team of volunteers includes Kim Vincent and Will Prosper in Montréal, and Sophia LaaBabsi, and Souleymane Bah, all based in Quebec City with personal ties to the victims and their families.

They decided to also build a well in the village of Ibrahima Barry (a close friend but no relation to Mamadou Tanou Barry), who was also murdered in the Quebec mosque attack. He is also from Guinea and his village also needs a well in order to improve access to clean drinking water.

Over the last two years, the team has learned a lot about the politics of well-building in Guinea, but they are finally close to fulfilling Mamadou Barry's dream and hope that with renewed interest, they will also be able to build a well in memory of Ibrahima Barry.

Muslim Link interviewed Montreal-based team member Kim Vincent about the project's progress:

Kim Vincent: The first well will be installed on the property of the Barry family home where Mamadou Tanou Barry's mother lives. We originally wanted to build the well on public property, ideally close to a school, but we discovered that the government requires that there be a fee for service of a public well in order to maintain it. We knew that Mamadou's intention was for the well to be free so we had to build it on private property. We were able to come to an agreement with Barry's family to build the well on their property that will be open and free to the surrounding village at all times and will be maintained and overseen by the Barry family. Approximately 1000 people will be impacted by its presence.

We are starting a campaign on the Muslim crowdfunding platform LaunchGood.com as we feel that both wells fall under the category of Sadaqa Jariyah for Mamadou Barry and Ibrahima Barry. When a Muslim dies, all their good deeds end, except for the blessings that come from a 'Sadaqah Jariyah', a special charitable act which continues to benefit the community even after someone has died. A well that provides easily accessible clean water for a village we feel is a form of Sadaqah Jariyah.

The contract is to be signed next week with a local drilling contractor for the sum of $13,000 Canadian.

We have designed a the memorial plaque to be carved in Greystone from Quebec and will be installed in the cement base of the well. The engraving will be done by 'Gravure sur Mesure', operated by the Roberge family at a nominal cost as their contribution to the project.

We are about $8,000 can shy for the second well to be installed on the property of Ibrahima Barry's father in the village of Mamou.

The past year was a great and enriching learning experience in which we were able to plan the best way to fulfill the work of Mamadou Tanou Barry in the spirit of his wishes.

Our team had the opportunity to meet with his widow and her family in Quebec City as well as his sister and her husband and cousins in Longueuil, Quebec.

Our hope is to spark a renewed interest in the project so as to fulfill the original goal of $25,000 which will cover both wells.

To support the project, contribute to the crowdfunding campaign online here.

To follow the progress of this project, Follow 2 Puits on Facebook here.

• Team Member Sophia LaaBabsi Team Member Sophia LaaBabsi
• Mamadou Tanou Barry, 42, Father of Two Mamadou Tanou Barry, 42, Father of Two
• 2 Puits, Two Wells 2 Puits, Two Wells
• Team Members Kim Vincent and Will Prosper Team Members Kim Vincent and Will Prosper
• Ibrahima Barry, 39, Father of Four Ibrahima Barry, 39, Father of Four
• Dying as Friends at the Mosque Dying as Friends at the Mosque
• Mamadou Tanou Barry's Widow Mamadou Tanou Barry's Widow
• Quebec Greystone Plaque in Memory of Mamadou Barry Quebec Greystone Plaque in Memory of Mamadou Barry
• Meeting with Mamadou Tanou Barry's Family Meeting with Mamadou Tanou Barry's Family
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