But in the meantime, we were finally able today to plumb the guttering of the shelter into a 2000 liter PVC tank. So when it rains the people will have clean rain water in the middle of the village. It rained enough this afternoon for us to know that our plumbing and roofing works, but not enough to put much water in the tank.
As for the latrines! Today we crowned one of the Latrine Diggers "Champion". In 5 days he has dug a 1.4m diameter hole to a depth of 7.9m, he still has 2.1m to go, but he tells us that with the help of his prize, (two lollipops) he will have that done for us by Saturday.
When I look down the pit now, I can only just see him as it is too dark to see much. The pit is almost exactly round and the same circumference all the way down, it has hand and foot holds for the digger to climb up and down, and a man on the surface with a rope and bucket that pulls out the dirt and rock one bucket at a time. It’s quite an amazing process.The dirt that is dug out will next week, (with the help of a Hydroform brick making machine), be turned into bricks that the people will make on site. These bricks will then be used to build the latrine housing.
So, today water is almost here and the latrine pits are going ever deeper. What more could you ask for but a party? So we’re going to have one. Next Friday (13th) we’re inviting all the important people to come to the village and we are going to open and dedicate the pump and community shelter before we share sodas and cake together. That’ll be a great day!
