Excitement & a sense of humor … 17 July 2010

Kipsongo Well

Wow; what excitement ~ raw joy & emotion as children and women see the water come from a repaired well. First the anticipation (and anxiety on my part) as the repairs are being done, then as the first water flows … shouts of joy and dancing. Everyone’s first reaction was to just touch it … as if seeing the water wasn’t enough to believe it. Then the filling of the cans and plastic bottles (already lined up in preparation) to now walk a mere 200 ft. back to their homes vs. the 2 – 3 miles they were walking. Lastly, the children playing in the water, washing their feet, and splashing before it was locked up to conserve the source.
Celebrate! Maji ! (Water !)

Shimo Well

As with many projects, Kenya and the rest of the world, unknowns and problems are encountered that have to be solved for work to continue. This was the case today as we began on the work-over of the water well (sometimes referred to as a bore hole because it is drilled not hand dug) at The Shimo La Tewa School.

After taking the well head apart and removing the cover, the depth tape was lowered into the well. To our surprise and obvious dismay, the tape stopped at a depth of 32 feet, well short of the expected 240 feet. Rods were then put back into the hole to try and drive thru the blockage. We determined the blockage to be clay … more that likely from children dropping dirt clods into the hole, left open after a failed repair fix form some months back. Enough clay, expanding as it got wet, and we have a bore hole filled 80% of the way to the surface. There is also the possibility that it’s just a short “plug” of mud and not the entire depth, but we won’t know until we take another approach.
The next step involves getting a mud pump in order to inject water into the well thereby forcing the water into the mud and circulate it out. A sump (photo) is required for the water.
The rented pump, the water truck with water for injection, and valves & piping will be here tomorrow morning to begin the process. Our hope is one – two days of circulation, and of course a bit more money; and the well will be clean. Then one day to re-install the pump and piping and water flow re-commences.

Patience and tenacity … required tools for most any job but especially important in working in developing countries. Oh yes, and a sense of humor!

Tunani (see you later)