Sometimes the simple things like having enough water are the least appreciated. As we moved onto the Connect Africa Hub construction site, we cut the jungle back, killed off poisonous snakes, fought off the hostile bandits and built ourselves a compound from the dirt under our feet. But, it was the carrying of water that really helped us understand what life was like for most of Africa. A 5 gallon jerry can of water weighs 50 lbs. There is no easy way to hike down into a muddy stream and fill it, then sweat your way back the mile or so to the Connect Africa Hub. I personally found that a bucket shower, and a bit of water boiled for tea was all I could stretch before I was off for another round with the jerry can.
We’ve really tried not to just promote a solution; we live with the very technology we promote. So this week when the 25 thousand liter rain water harvesting tanks were filled with rain from the sky; the Bio Sand Filter cleaned the water for the coffee; I had my first "non bucket" shower and then flushed the toilet! Well, life just got a whole bunch happier for me.
We head north this week to bring these same technologies to some friends in the former IDP camps. Life without the jerry can…life with clean water…life is good!
Trev out
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment