Water Cistern #1 Nears Completion

January 19, 2009 Hello Gang, Time runs way too fast for me these days and I am so aware that my time here is running away with me. I love the times I can see something so substantial actually happening...

Construction is like that, a person gets to see form and substance taking shape out of ideas, thought, and planning.

The form of our shared ideas is taking shape. When I first came here I began asking about building something like the rainwater cisterns I had seen in Tanzania.

Roger of Caritas Goma asked an engineer to submit a bid, but it was a bid to place a plastic tank. I asked him about building with rock and stone and he said it couldn't be done.

I explained to him what I knew and how it has been done in other places but he seemed unwilling.

I talked to another engineer who immediately went with me to look at the facility and imagine what it could be like. He did the thinking and the planning of a bid to build this project.

St. John's did the fund raising for building one of our cisterns...

And look where we are today!!!!

Idea, thought, planning...taking form, taking shape and soon to be assuming FUNCTION!!!

The cement cover has been poured, it will be three weeks before the form supports can be removed and then we can hook up the gutters, downpouts, and piping. Then full functioning will be complete, people will begin using water on sight at the dispensary of RUGARI.

Now the really wonderful news is that Roger Ndagije, director of medical centers, for Caritas Goma is so impressed with what we are achieving, with the form and function of these water cisterns that he wants to build more of them for other dispensaries. This is a tremendous success, a simple idea that has grown into a powerful tool of development for improving the care of patients in health centers throughout the DIOCESE of GOMA!!!

When I was taking some of these last pictures they brought a patient to the dispensary in this litter and I was so impressed with the form and function of this idea. This basket has been woven from strong small tree branches and placed inside was a thick cushion of grasses and leaves. Then bamboo poles are used to lift and carry the patient. The patient was then covered with a warm woolen blanket and she was quit nice and warm when she arrived.

Unfortunately she had been sick for over a month with malaria. Living alone, no knew just how sick she was, she had not eaten for so long that she was down to skin and bones. As I examined her I immediately saw how perilous her condition was and how she was treading the threshold between life and death.

The nurses started an IV, started medication, called for an ambulance to come pick her up and take her to the nearest hospital...but she died within just short minutes of her arrival at the RUGARI DISPENSARY. It was a sad day for us.

These next two photos are of people who make a living using the CHUGUDU to help them get their products to market.

These young men are taking a rest beside the road before continuing their trek. Notice the round leaf cushions on the sides of the sugar cane load. This is where they place their heads so that they push with all the force of their bodies as they get this load to the market. Hard physical labor.

Then on the way in the truck to get the gutters for the dispensary we were treated with this wonderful tourism opportunity.

This is the third time I have seen these baboons in this location, but the first time they sat around to let me get some photos.

Notice the injured hand of this female who is sitting with her baby. It is an injury from a trap that was set by local population who still catch these animals to eat. She was able to escape but her hand is useless and it remains to be seen if she will heal or gain some massive infection from this injury that will eventually take her life.

Above, sitting in the grass, is male who leads this group of baboons. He sat for just a minute before going off into the bush. I thanked him for taking his time so I could get his picture.

These three sitting on the cut trees were much more content to sit and watch me and didn't run off, they were almost as interested in me as I was in them. I really like this picture.

Well my friends. I send my love and prayers for you all, blessings in your endeavors for this week, and greet all for me in the peace of Christ!

Jackie