Sunday, November 30, 2014

As I reflect on this Sunday – I so reminded to what we do in matching generous donors to receiving communities in rural Africa.  We spent our day visiting several wells that were completed in 2013.  What was obvious is that the water committees are proud of their well.   Our two main objectives of the day was to visit wells in service for some time to also hopefully interview someone who had benefited from disease free fresh water.  That was accomplished.  Our second goal was to visit several sites on the list for 2015 completion and interview someone who was looking forward to fresh water.  That was done too.

Our host Nicholas Mancus of International Lifeline Fund and Loretta who is the supervisor of the Rotaractors that I mentioned in yesterday’s blog. Our destination for the day is to return to the city of Lira where we will catch our flight to the airport of our departure to Tanzania on Tuesday.   The country is huge.

Derek  is receiving some assistance in tying two jerry cans on his bicycle to take to his home.  We found out that he has recently moved to this area and is very grateful for fresh disease free water as he had it where he lived previously.  His gratitude was shared in his goal of wanting to be a water engineer. 

During the past two days we have observed these home projects in the making of brick.  Some are kiln dried and some are sun dried.  I did not see a kiln at this one. 

A view in one of the living quarters of a private home.  Note the black wall covered with smoke from a number of years of use.  A major concern is what does this smoke due to the health of family.   

Martta has to reach down into this pit to be able to scoop water out.  This area is quite swampy and therefore the supply of water is worse than the gray you see. 

Michael is in process of interviewing Martta that had just finished filling her jerry can.  The person in the multi colored shirt is one the employees of ILF and the young man to the far right in one of this ladies children.  He is recovering from typhoid fever.   She has lost four of her children to some water borne illness and she has been ill also.  

This is another example of digging a hole near a swamp to be able to carefully scoop our water that has accumulated.  We were advised the yesterday two children fell into such holes that had been abandoned nearby.   

This evening we were blessed with a home cooked meal at our hosts home in Lira.  Hope you Sunday was filled with blessings too.  Tomorrow is a travel day so things will be different.   

-Ed Scharlau

 

 

Sunday, November 30, 2014

As I reflect on this Sunday – I so reminded to what we do in matching generous donors to receiving communities in rural Africa.  We spent our day visiting several wells that were completed in 2013.  What was obvious is that the water committees are proud of their well.   Our two main objectives of the day was to visit wells in service for some time to also hopefully interview someone who had benefited from disease free fresh water.  That was accomplished.  Our second goal was to visit several sites on the list for 2015 completion and interview someone who was looking forward to fresh water.  That was done too.

Our host Nicholas Mancus of International Lifeline Fund and Loretta who is the supervisor of the Rotaractors that I mentioned in yesterday’s blog. Our destination for the day is to return to the city of Lira where we will catch our flight to the airport of our departure to Tanzania on Tuesday.   The country is huge.

Derek  is receiving some assistance in tying two jerry cans on his bicycle to take to his home.  We found out that he has recently moved to this area and is very grateful for fresh disease free water as he had it where he lived previously.  His gratitude was shared in his goal of wanting to be a water engineer. 

During the past two days we have observed these home projects in the making of brick.  Some are kiln dried and some are sun dried.  I did not see a kiln at this one. 

A view in one of the living quarters of a private home.  Note the black wall covered with smoke from a number of years of use.  A major concern is what does this smoke due to the health of family.   

Martta has to reach down into this pit to be able to scoop water out.  This area is quite swampy and therefore the supply of water is worse than the gray you see. 

Michael is in process of interviewing Martta that had just finished filling her jerry can.  The person in the multi colored shirt is one the employees of ILF and the young man to the far right in one of this ladies children.  He is recovering from typhoid fever.   She has lost four of her children to some water borne illness and she has been ill also.  

This is another example of digging a hole near a swamp to be able to carefully scoop our water that has accumulated.  We were advised the yesterday two children fell into such holes that had been abandoned nearby.   

This evening we were blessed with a home cooked meal at our hosts home in Lira.  Hope you Sunday was filled with blessings too.  Tomorrow is a travel day so things will be different.   

-Ed Scharlau