Monday the temporary pump was pulled out as the 24 hour test demonstrated that the static water level was going to be at 60m deep. The decision was made to lower the permanent hand pump, to 72m. A water sample was sent to Nairobi (7 hour drive) for chemical and biological analyses. During the afternoon, part of the group went to the "local" clinic to view the installation and potential water situation. The clinic had actually undertaken some reasonable efforts in rainwater collection and storage.
While at the clinic, some of the group, along with our accompanying teacher/interpreters, visited a nearby tobacco buying/receiving/ shipping facility while two of the members remained on site to oversee installation of the final pieces of pipe through which the water will be drawn from the well.
Tuesday, two of us, including yours truly, were not feeling up to par (to be positive) and remained at the guesthouse for the day. The others, on site, had the pleasure of attempting to hold the local mason, chosen by the contractor, to constructing the pad surrounding the pump according to specs. Suffice it to say that the Kenyan techniques for foundation preparations and concrete preparation are not the same as those to which we are accustomed. The on-site members spent the balance of the day demonstrating, or at least attempting to, on instructing the locals on concrete mixing, de-aereation and compaction of concrete.
Wednesday, all hands on deck today! Chlorine was added to the well to commence a 72 hour sterilization step, despite the fact that untreated water analysis results had not yet been received (government mandated requirement). The contractor finalized assembly and installation of the pump head and finally pumped some water! Flow was clear, though a little slower than I had hoped.
A colleague and myself went into Migori in the afternoon to meet to with the Water Ministry to finalize the details of the training program for the villagers scheduled for next week. When we got back to the site, the pad was still being worked on. At our insistence and with the assistance of a village mason who was fluent in English, we finally got through to the original contractor essential finish details. Ended up another dawn to dark day.
Thursday, as water sterilization continued and concrete curing continued, and on-site work was on hold, we decided to take a day off to visit a nearby game park. After a few detours and mis-turns, our driver found a way to be on a VERY rough "road", having no visible automobile traffic. In fact, it was so narrow that the tracks in the dirt indicated that it was only used by motor scooters! At one point I actually got out of the van to determine if the passage over a partially collapsed culvert was wide enough for the wheels of the van to pass. After continuing a few kilometers further down the "road" the driver pulled off the side and shut off the engine. A cursory examination revealed a broken oil pan (in the middle of nowhere!) Fortunately, a motor scooter came by shortly later and gave the phone number of a "local" mechanic. At about the same time, the only 4 wheel vehicle we had seen in the past 2 hours (and would see for the next 5 hours) came by and offered a tow. This worked well for about 200m when the tow strap broke due to having to pass over more rocks. The vehicle's owner was an official with the electoral commission, and offered to take us to the district office, and left us his phone number. As the mechanic was on the way, we opted to stay with the van for a while longer. After the mechanic finally arrived, assessed the situation, and removed the oil pan to take to his shop for welding, we opted to call for a ride. The balance of the day was spent in the commission offices until they closed. We then inspected a new "guest house" as a fall-back position, and retired to a local restaurant for something to eat. We finally heard from our driver that "repairs" had been finished and he was on the way. With his sense of direction, we were VERY surprised that he actually showed up an hour or two later. The drive back to Migori was a real butt clenching experience each time we passed over one of the ubiquitous rocks in the road. Just to make things even more interesting, the van started stalling periodically for no reason in the middle of absolutely nowhere. FINALLY, we got back home late in the evening, exhausted, and ready for bed. (By the way, we never did get to the game park).
Friday, we continued our newly discovered technique for determining school population by offering to give a pencil to each student at the new, local primary school. (We'd previously determined that "official" estimates of a school's student population are usually suspect) While there we assessed the viability of usage of rain water collection to supply the school's requirements (possible future project). We then continued to the larger, Machicha primary and secondary school to meet and address the scheduled, student's parent association to outline what THEY could do to raise funds and implement a rain collection system for the school. A treat, prior to the meeting, was a student singing and dancing routine to thank us for our efforts. It was very touching and enjoyable.
After the school assembly/meeting we hit the road for Kisumu (third largest city in Kenya and located on Lake Victoria, the source of the Nile River) for Team 1 to fly back home and meet participants from Team 2. Got back to Migori early evening and happy to be "home" at the guest house.
Sunday, today, we revisited the site to inspect the site and review things with Team 2 members. While there, George, one of our local contacts, stopped by say hello. We asked him to show us the location of a nearby project, which we examined for ideas. Following this inspection, we got back home mid-afternoon.
Until next week, when we begin 4 days of training, we wish you a good week.
George
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