 |
| The church in Ihaya-Buaga |
 |
| The children in Mwanenaka show off the bracelets that they got from the team. |
 |
| Merideth and a friend in Mwanenaka. |
 |
| The water hole in Mwanenaka. It may look clean....but it's not! |
 |
| Flushing the well in Mwanenaka. |
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Mwanenaka photos and more
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Water in Welamasonga and Nayamahanga
On Monday morning we organized the funds that we had left to provide material aid to the villages and went on a big shopping trip to the large market in the heart of Mwanza. This market is straight out of that scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark where Indiana and Marion flee through all sorts of stalls and winding walkways to elude their attackers! The market is made up of both inside and outside areas, and it is impossible to see everything as you walk along, though I tried to take in as much as I could. Val's local friend Gertrude was able to join us and she provided such valuable help in finding the things that we were after: sewing machine, sewing supplies, children's shoes, clothes, and hundreds of yards of material sold in conga and katanga (sp?) sizes (these are used to either sew clothes or make the traditional skirt and baby carrier that the women wear).
By the afternoon, we heard that the drilling crew had begun at Welamasonga so we traveled out there. The earth began to come up damp at about 60 meters and continued to be very wet clay and sand meter after meter to 108 meters. We were worried because we had not seen more fluid and isolated water, as is typical. However, on the drive back into the city the drilling supervisor called to tell us that this deep pocket would very likely support water for a well. They told us that after a few hours they can send a water pressure tool down the well to see if it has sufficiently filled with water.
The next morning, Tuesday, we received news that the water pressure test favorable and that we had a good well! We went to Welamasonga that morning and watched the flushing of the well. Needless to say, both the children and adults gathered around were very happy, especially when the water started to plume into the air. I dearly hope that this new water supply means that many of these children will be able to bathe more regularly and it will diminish the prevalence of ringworm that so many of them suffer from. Gertrude, who had come with us, helped us pass things out to the children and was a valuable interpreter as well. At one point she turned to me and said that the three men talking beside us decided that as a wife I would be worth 15 cows (presumably a compliment!).
We were also able to visit the village of Melalike and Mwanenaka before returning home. In Melalike we passed out the conga material to about 40 women (or men to take home to their wives). I'm thankful it was a small crowd there as we were able to give this material to all of them, as well as bracelets, gum, and additional clothing to the children. They hosted us to a lunch of rice and chicken and I find that I'm now pretty comfortable with eating any piece that I happen to get from the pot. The meals are incredibly warm with hospitality, though the clear priority given to the men over the women is hard on my Western sensibilities. When we circled back to Mwanenaka we saw that the concrete pad for the pump had been poured the previous day. Some of the villagers were diligently pouring water on the concrete to keep it from drying too quickly and we had a nice visit with them. Once the concrete is cured, the pump should be installed later in the week.
We enjoyed dinner outside the city center on the banks of Lake Victoria, which was a nice end to the day. Lake Victoria is huge, larger than Lake Michigan, Superior, etc. There is talk in the wind about investment to use this resource to bring irrigation water to northern Tanzania, which I hope will come to fruition someday. A trip like this makes you realize what a valuable asset that infrastructure really is (water, sewer, electricity, roads, bridges, irrigation, etc.).
As I write this Tuesday night at the hotel room, the drilling has proceeded on to Nayamahanga, so we may get news about how that goes tonight. We are getting a heavy rain that began around dinner time, the first since I've been here. Gertrude told us that this year has had drought conditions, so I hope this rain, unexpected before the rainy season begins in November, will help.
Around 1AM we received a call that the new hole in Nayamahanga reached water!! The team should travel there today (Wednesday), though I will probably not be able to join them due to the timing of my flight, but if there is more news, I will try to send another update. I am so happy for the people at Nayamahanga.
If I had to pick one work to describe Tanzania, it might be "thirsty." But maybe that is because I've been thinking about water for the last several days :)
--Merideth
By the afternoon, we heard that the drilling crew had begun at Welamasonga so we traveled out there. The earth began to come up damp at about 60 meters and continued to be very wet clay and sand meter after meter to 108 meters. We were worried because we had not seen more fluid and isolated water, as is typical. However, on the drive back into the city the drilling supervisor called to tell us that this deep pocket would very likely support water for a well. They told us that after a few hours they can send a water pressure tool down the well to see if it has sufficiently filled with water.
The next morning, Tuesday, we received news that the water pressure test favorable and that we had a good well! We went to Welamasonga that morning and watched the flushing of the well. Needless to say, both the children and adults gathered around were very happy, especially when the water started to plume into the air. I dearly hope that this new water supply means that many of these children will be able to bathe more regularly and it will diminish the prevalence of ringworm that so many of them suffer from. Gertrude, who had come with us, helped us pass things out to the children and was a valuable interpreter as well. At one point she turned to me and said that the three men talking beside us decided that as a wife I would be worth 15 cows (presumably a compliment!).
We were also able to visit the village of Melalike and Mwanenaka before returning home. In Melalike we passed out the conga material to about 40 women (or men to take home to their wives). I'm thankful it was a small crowd there as we were able to give this material to all of them, as well as bracelets, gum, and additional clothing to the children. They hosted us to a lunch of rice and chicken and I find that I'm now pretty comfortable with eating any piece that I happen to get from the pot. The meals are incredibly warm with hospitality, though the clear priority given to the men over the women is hard on my Western sensibilities. When we circled back to Mwanenaka we saw that the concrete pad for the pump had been poured the previous day. Some of the villagers were diligently pouring water on the concrete to keep it from drying too quickly and we had a nice visit with them. Once the concrete is cured, the pump should be installed later in the week.
We enjoyed dinner outside the city center on the banks of Lake Victoria, which was a nice end to the day. Lake Victoria is huge, larger than Lake Michigan, Superior, etc. There is talk in the wind about investment to use this resource to bring irrigation water to northern Tanzania, which I hope will come to fruition someday. A trip like this makes you realize what a valuable asset that infrastructure really is (water, sewer, electricity, roads, bridges, irrigation, etc.).
As I write this Tuesday night at the hotel room, the drilling has proceeded on to Nayamahanga, so we may get news about how that goes tonight. We are getting a heavy rain that began around dinner time, the first since I've been here. Gertrude told us that this year has had drought conditions, so I hope this rain, unexpected before the rainy season begins in November, will help.
Around 1AM we received a call that the new hole in Nayamahanga reached water!! The team should travel there today (Wednesday), though I will probably not be able to join them due to the timing of my flight, but if there is more news, I will try to send another update. I am so happy for the people at Nayamahanga.
If I had to pick one work to describe Tanzania, it might be "thirsty." But maybe that is because I've been thinking about water for the last several days :)
--Merideth
Monday, September 20, 2010
Mwanenaka, Welamasonga, and More
On the way to Mwanenaka we stopped at the Mwanza market to purchase some gift items for the villages, including a live chicken to be prepared that evening. Though I have no problem with butchering, I think this is the first time I got to see my dinner run around before I ate it! We arrived at the village in time to see the drilling crew flush the well. I got some great pictures of the well and the people that I look forward to sharing with you when I get back home. To celebrate, they prepared the most elaborate meal that we have received in a village - rich, the corn/casaba blend, two kinds of meat stews, sliced cucumbers, cooked spinach, and some cooked bananas in sauce. I had heard that there were different kinds of bananas for cooking here, and it was great to give it a try. It is more starchy, firm, and less sweet, which makes it end up taking more like a baked potato - really delicious!
While we were waiting for the drillers to pack up, Val and I went with about 6 of the women to one of the existing water holes. While we were there, one of the ladies pointed to my bag and rubbed her face and hands. I realized yesterday that they had seen me putting my sunscreen on. I pulled it out of my back and gave them each some for their face and hands, they really liked it. Previously, I had wondered if lotion might make a good gift, so I had actually brought a large new tube of body lotion with me that day. So, I was able to present them with a tube to keep.
When it came time to leave, we were walking down to the vehicles when all of a sudden one of the women broke out into a beautiful song. Soon, all of the others had joined in and then began singing and dancing down the road with us. Our interpreter, Juma, said that they were singing a traditional song of thanks. Once we reached the cars, they continued to sing and dance for a few minutes - it was a remarkable experience that I hope I will remember my whole life. It also confirmed to me that I have absolutely no rhythm or groove, the way that they can dance is amazing.
From Mwanenaka we traveled to Welamasonga, the fifth village on our list. The drilling began in the afternoon and proceeded very quickly in soft ground. Unfortunately, the soft ground continued and though they drilled beyond the projected depth, the drilling came up dry. While the geography was known to be challenging in Nayamahanga, this was a surprise in Welamasonga. During this time, both the head manager and owner of the drilling company were there. The good news is that they are very disappointed with the dry holes as well and are willing to bear some of the cost of drilling further. This, as well the favorable exchange rate that we are currently enjoying, give me hope that we may yet strike water. We were also encouraged to hear today (Sunday) that they had conducted new surveys in both villages. The quick follow through is very encouraging, particularly given how some timetables can be iffy here. If the surveys are favorable, I may have news about more drilling to report tomorrow.
--Merideth
While we were waiting for the drillers to pack up, Val and I went with about 6 of the women to one of the existing water holes. While we were there, one of the ladies pointed to my bag and rubbed her face and hands. I realized yesterday that they had seen me putting my sunscreen on. I pulled it out of my back and gave them each some for their face and hands, they really liked it. Previously, I had wondered if lotion might make a good gift, so I had actually brought a large new tube of body lotion with me that day. So, I was able to present them with a tube to keep.
When it came time to leave, we were walking down to the vehicles when all of a sudden one of the women broke out into a beautiful song. Soon, all of the others had joined in and then began singing and dancing down the road with us. Our interpreter, Juma, said that they were singing a traditional song of thanks. Once we reached the cars, they continued to sing and dance for a few minutes - it was a remarkable experience that I hope I will remember my whole life. It also confirmed to me that I have absolutely no rhythm or groove, the way that they can dance is amazing.
From Mwanenaka we traveled to Welamasonga, the fifth village on our list. The drilling began in the afternoon and proceeded very quickly in soft ground. Unfortunately, the soft ground continued and though they drilled beyond the projected depth, the drilling came up dry. While the geography was known to be challenging in Nayamahanga, this was a surprise in Welamasonga. During this time, both the head manager and owner of the drilling company were there. The good news is that they are very disappointed with the dry holes as well and are willing to bear some of the cost of drilling further. This, as well the favorable exchange rate that we are currently enjoying, give me hope that we may yet strike water. We were also encouraged to hear today (Sunday) that they had conducted new surveys in both villages. The quick follow through is very encouraging, particularly given how some timetables can be iffy here. If the surveys are favorable, I may have news about more drilling to report tomorrow.
--Merideth
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Water in Mwanenaka
We spent a great morning and part of the afternoon at the village of Ihushi. The water struck at the well ran well and it was exciting to see it pour out when the well was flushed clean and tested. We were the guests for lunch at the nearby home in the village and the drilling crew was able to join us as well. During this lunch we also had the opportunity to try another traditional African food, which is a blend of ground corn and casaba root. It turns out sort of like a moist corn meal. The substance itself does not have a lot of flavor, but they are in the tradition of balling it up with their fingers and dipping it in whatever sauce is produced by the meat served (in this case beef). The villagers at the meal had a good time showing us the right way to eat it and got a kick out of watching us try :)
In the late afternoon, the drillers proceeded to Mwanenaka. For those of you who supported the well drilling effort in response to my email letter, this is the well that was funded by your donations! Let me pass on the many thanks I received directly to you. I tried to take many pictures so that you can see the well drilling, the land, and most importantly, the people there that will benefit from this well. It is nicely situated near a large configuration of homes (huts). Also, Val and I are estimating that about 200 people had arrived within the first 10 minutes we were there, so I think access to this well is good.
The children here, particularly the little ones, were more shy at first (as compared to my limited experience in the other villages). However, they warmed up quickly when we passed out bracelets and the interpreter began to talk to them. They also loved a game that I started where I would record the circle of faces around me on my flip camera and then play it back for them to see. It is hard for me to describe how excited they would get when they saw their faces on the camera. I'm guessing that mirrors are rare, so they don't get to see their image too often, not to mention seeing a video camera (perhaps for the first time).
We were able to stay in the village late into the evening and I was surprised how many people also stayed to watch the drilling. At one point the drilling crew began welding a metal hammer and a drill component, right there at the site! I was worried that the equipment would be down for the count, but they completed the work. One of the crewman began using the welded hammer while it was still steaming with heat - I've never seen anything like it. There is no electricity for miles, so the landscape gets very dark after the sun sets, yet they are quite comfortable moving around in the dark. When they shared dinner for us, I could see a large fire in one of the huts that served as a kitchen. The light from this fire came out a bit into the yard outside and we sat in a circle together eating rice and stew.
We watched the drilling until nearly 10PM before returning to Mwanza. We were all tempted to try to stay to see the drilling completed, but given that there may be more delays, we decided it is best to go. We returned home and I spent a long night half asleep waiting for Juma to call as he had done the past two nights. The call never came, so I awoke early and anxious. However, we received good news this morning when we called Michael, the drill foreman - the Mwanenaka well struck water at 80 meters - hurray! (Juma's cell phone had run out of battery).
I'm writing this now just before we go back out to the village to see the water pressure testing, etc. I hope to write with more good news soon.
Thanks again to everyone who has supported these projects, I have never seen more grateful people. It is a privilege for me to have the opportunity to witness it.
--Merideth
In the late afternoon, the drillers proceeded to Mwanenaka. For those of you who supported the well drilling effort in response to my email letter, this is the well that was funded by your donations! Let me pass on the many thanks I received directly to you. I tried to take many pictures so that you can see the well drilling, the land, and most importantly, the people there that will benefit from this well. It is nicely situated near a large configuration of homes (huts). Also, Val and I are estimating that about 200 people had arrived within the first 10 minutes we were there, so I think access to this well is good.
The children here, particularly the little ones, were more shy at first (as compared to my limited experience in the other villages). However, they warmed up quickly when we passed out bracelets and the interpreter began to talk to them. They also loved a game that I started where I would record the circle of faces around me on my flip camera and then play it back for them to see. It is hard for me to describe how excited they would get when they saw their faces on the camera. I'm guessing that mirrors are rare, so they don't get to see their image too often, not to mention seeing a video camera (perhaps for the first time).
We were able to stay in the village late into the evening and I was surprised how many people also stayed to watch the drilling. At one point the drilling crew began welding a metal hammer and a drill component, right there at the site! I was worried that the equipment would be down for the count, but they completed the work. One of the crewman began using the welded hammer while it was still steaming with heat - I've never seen anything like it. There is no electricity for miles, so the landscape gets very dark after the sun sets, yet they are quite comfortable moving around in the dark. When they shared dinner for us, I could see a large fire in one of the huts that served as a kitchen. The light from this fire came out a bit into the yard outside and we sat in a circle together eating rice and stew.
We watched the drilling until nearly 10PM before returning to Mwanza. We were all tempted to try to stay to see the drilling completed, but given that there may be more delays, we decided it is best to go. We returned home and I spent a long night half asleep waiting for Juma to call as he had done the past two nights. The call never came, so I awoke early and anxious. However, we received good news this morning when we called Michael, the drill foreman - the Mwanenaka well struck water at 80 meters - hurray! (Juma's cell phone had run out of battery).
I'm writing this now just before we go back out to the village to see the water pressure testing, etc. I hope to write with more good news soon.
Thanks again to everyone who has supported these projects, I have never seen more grateful people. It is a privilege for me to have the opportunity to witness it.
--Merideth
Friday, September 17, 2010
"Happiness today"
Much has happened since my last update, both good and bad. The bad news is that the drilling at Nahayamahanga was dry. The decision was made to move the drilling machinery to the next village. However, there is still hope, as the driller and surveyor are going to conduct a more extensive survey this week to see if there are any additional options to consider. I'm not sure I can express in words, nor entirely feel myself, how devastating this is for the people there. I'm trying to dwell on the hopes we still have, also praying for wisdom and insight for the surveyors. Hopefully I will be able to write more about the progress at this village soon.
In the meantime, the drilling rig proceeded to the village of Lugeye late Wednesday afternoon and drilled into the evening. At 11PM we received a call that they had struck water around 70 meters (the depth anticipated by the survey)! We went out to the village early this morning and were able to see them finish installing the well liner that keeps ground water from contaminating the well. Then they flushed the well to get out the dirt from the drilling. This sent plumes of water into the air and all of the villagers who had been waiting nearby went running to the well! They also were able to measure the pressure of the well and it is more than sufficient for the manual pump that will be installed (there is no electricity in this village). The concrete pad and hand pump will be installed later this week and we hope to return to see it. While we were watching the water come up out of the well, one of the little boys came up to me and said, "Happiness today." He must have asked one of the interpreters how to say this in English! I replied and said, "Yes, happiness today," and gave him a hug. It was so touching, and just one of many dear encounters I'm having with the people here.
Then, from Lugeye,we followed the driller rig to the village of Ihushi. When we arrived, the pastor of the village insisted that we take a meal with them before the work began. We all enjoyed rice, spinach, and stewed goat (or possibly sheep, I’m not completely sure). It was very rich in flavor! The road to Ihushi is barely a road, so we had to navigate it back to Mwanza before dark. So, we left them drilling into the night once again. At 1AM that night I received a call that they had struck water! We are preparing to return to Ihushi now this morning (Friday).
So, you can see lot has happened in the last two days! The people here are so warm and welcoming, and grateful for any gesture—the children open up and soon I approach and greet them. They love it when I hand out chewing gum (and the adults like it too), so I'm glad that I brought three big Costco packages from home!
I apologize that I'm not yet able to get pictures sent along with the updates. I may have to catch up with a special photo post to the blog when I return home. In the meantime, picture me surrounded by a sea of children :)
--Merideth
In the meantime, the drilling rig proceeded to the village of Lugeye late Wednesday afternoon and drilled into the evening. At 11PM we received a call that they had struck water around 70 meters (the depth anticipated by the survey)! We went out to the village early this morning and were able to see them finish installing the well liner that keeps ground water from contaminating the well. Then they flushed the well to get out the dirt from the drilling. This sent plumes of water into the air and all of the villagers who had been waiting nearby went running to the well! They also were able to measure the pressure of the well and it is more than sufficient for the manual pump that will be installed (there is no electricity in this village). The concrete pad and hand pump will be installed later this week and we hope to return to see it. While we were watching the water come up out of the well, one of the little boys came up to me and said, "Happiness today." He must have asked one of the interpreters how to say this in English! I replied and said, "Yes, happiness today," and gave him a hug. It was so touching, and just one of many dear encounters I'm having with the people here.
Then, from Lugeye,we followed the driller rig to the village of Ihushi. When we arrived, the pastor of the village insisted that we take a meal with them before the work began. We all enjoyed rice, spinach, and stewed goat (or possibly sheep, I’m not completely sure). It was very rich in flavor! The road to Ihushi is barely a road, so we had to navigate it back to Mwanza before dark. So, we left them drilling into the night once again. At 1AM that night I received a call that they had struck water! We are preparing to return to Ihushi now this morning (Friday).
So, you can see lot has happened in the last two days! The people here are so warm and welcoming, and grateful for any gesture—the children open up and soon I approach and greet them. They love it when I hand out chewing gum (and the adults like it too), so I'm glad that I brought three big Costco packages from home!
I apologize that I'm not yet able to get pictures sent along with the updates. I may have to catch up with a special photo post to the blog when I return home. In the meantime, picture me surrounded by a sea of children :)
--Merideth
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
In Nahayamanga
I am back from a long day spent at the village of Nahayamanga. This village is the most remote one that we intend to visit, about an hour and a half outside of the city of Mwanza. On the way we saw all sorts of bicycles and carts loaded, almost impossibly full, with an assortment of items: corn sacks, bundles of grass for roofing huts, sugar cane, water buckets, etc., as well as many women down at the water holes near the road, filling buckets with water, which they carry home on their heads. This practice is everywhere and is amazing to see.
We arrived in the morning and were greeted by hundreds of the people in the village, in particular, the children were excited to see us (much like yesterday, the crowd a children grew exponentially over the course of the morning... and then school got out in the afternoon to add to the crowd!) I don't think that I've ever had physical contact with so many people in a single day prior to this trip in my entire life. The children love to crowd around us for a hug or handshake, or simply to touch our skin and hair (they don't have much hair on their arms, so our hairy arms appear to be particularly fascinating to them).
The drilling began around noon and continued for a few hours until one of the trucks ran out of fuel. They were still waiting for the fuel to arrive as I write this, but are planning to drill through the night once it does arrive. Pray for success tonight! Many of the villagers watched the drill work for hours and remained there when we left. I had a conversation with one older man who spoke some broken English. He asked how it was that the funds were available for this well and I told him that many people in America where we come from gave their money for this well when they heard about the great need for clean water in Tanzania. When we closed the conversation he thanked me profusely and said that if we had not come he did not think this would ever be possible in his village. After experiences like these, I feel compelled to believe that of all of the things I spend my money on the most year, this is certainly one of the most meaningful things.
--Merideth
We arrived in the morning and were greeted by hundreds of the people in the village, in particular, the children were excited to see us (much like yesterday, the crowd a children grew exponentially over the course of the morning... and then school got out in the afternoon to add to the crowd!) I don't think that I've ever had physical contact with so many people in a single day prior to this trip in my entire life. The children love to crowd around us for a hug or handshake, or simply to touch our skin and hair (they don't have much hair on their arms, so our hairy arms appear to be particularly fascinating to them).
The drilling began around noon and continued for a few hours until one of the trucks ran out of fuel. They were still waiting for the fuel to arrive as I write this, but are planning to drill through the night once it does arrive. Pray for success tonight! Many of the villagers watched the drill work for hours and remained there when we left. I had a conversation with one older man who spoke some broken English. He asked how it was that the funds were available for this well and I told him that many people in America where we come from gave their money for this well when they heard about the great need for clean water in Tanzania. When we closed the conversation he thanked me profusely and said that if we had not come he did not think this would ever be possible in his village. After experiences like these, I feel compelled to believe that of all of the things I spend my money on the most year, this is certainly one of the most meaningful things.
--Merideth
Monday, September 13, 2010
Arrival
Friends and family, hello from Tanzania,
I have arrived safely along with the others on the trip. We spent the first day in Irusha organizing travels details for transportation to the villages. We also spent some time with a friend of John's (the founder of Compassion Tanzania), who is beginning a media company in Tanzania. They are producing some of the very first movies, shows, and CDs to be recorded in Swahili as the primary language.
The next day we traveled to the city of Mwanza, is in the northwestern section of Tanzania, situated on the shores of Lake Victoria. This will be our home base each night from now to the end of the trip.
Today we had our first day in on of the villages, the village of Ihaya-Buaga where a well was built last year. From the moment that we turned into the road at the center of the village, children ran to meet us. We were overwhelmed by how happy they were to see us. We sang with the children and were able to broadcast a story in Swahili for them to listen to, which they loved. Then we shared punch, gum, and bracelets with the children. I have never been met with such enthusiasm in my life! Truly dozens of hand instantly surrounding me. I had not never experienced anything like that before. Then, I experienced it again when I distributed the soap to the mothers. They we so anxious and grateful to each get some.
Tomorrow we are going to start drilling in the first village Nyamahanga. I'm struggling to get photos and movies off the flip video camera that I have so I'll try to send some later.
We are shutting down an internet cafe anxious to close, so I will write more soon!
--Merideth
I have arrived safely along with the others on the trip. We spent the first day in Irusha organizing travels details for transportation to the villages. We also spent some time with a friend of John's (the founder of Compassion Tanzania), who is beginning a media company in Tanzania. They are producing some of the very first movies, shows, and CDs to be recorded in Swahili as the primary language.
The next day we traveled to the city of Mwanza, is in the northwestern section of Tanzania, situated on the shores of Lake Victoria. This will be our home base each night from now to the end of the trip.
Today we had our first day in on of the villages, the village of Ihaya-Buaga where a well was built last year. From the moment that we turned into the road at the center of the village, children ran to meet us. We were overwhelmed by how happy they were to see us. We sang with the children and were able to broadcast a story in Swahili for them to listen to, which they loved. Then we shared punch, gum, and bracelets with the children. I have never been met with such enthusiasm in my life! Truly dozens of hand instantly surrounding me. I had not never experienced anything like that before. Then, I experienced it again when I distributed the soap to the mothers. They we so anxious and grateful to each get some.
Tomorrow we are going to start drilling in the first village Nyamahanga. I'm struggling to get photos and movies off the flip video camera that I have so I'll try to send some later.
We are shutting down an internet cafe anxious to close, so I will write more soon!
--Merideth
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)