I finished my first major project last
week. I took plenty of pictures which I'll post when I get a more
stable internet connection, in the mean time I'll do my best to
describe it. The primary water source for about a third of my village
(myself included) is a large water tank which is filled by a
gas-powered pump from an underground source. The tank feeds into a
large horizontal pipe which has faucets on either side. The water is
used for drinking, cooking and washing. Originally, the pipe had six
faucets, unfortunately, cattle would occasionally bump into them and
break them off. As of two weeks ago we were down to one
semi-functioning tap. The handle needed to be tied down with string
to turn the water off and when it ran only a trickle came out. The
places where the taps had broken off were plugged with sticks and
pieces of plastic. I purchased four new taps at the hardware store in
Kedougou for about $16. I spoke with the village chief and arranged a
work day on which men from around the village would come to install
the new taps and build a fence to keep out the cows.
I was excited to get started until I
suddenly awoke in the middle of the night before the work day and
realized that I had never checked to make sure the taps were the
right size. I picked up a tap and walked out to the pipe with my
flashlight and discovered that although the taps fit, the broken
pieces of metal stuck inside the pipes made it impossible to attach
them. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep.
The next day we experimented with ways
of removing the pieces from the pipes. After a few failed attempts we
discovered that cutting the piece with a hacksaw blade and bashing it
out with an improvised hammer and chisel made from old bicycle parts
effectively opened up the pipe. I was certain that this method would
destroy the threads but the new taps screwed in without much trouble.
After a full day of work we now have four new taps (plus the broken
one which the chief insisted on keeping in spite of the fact that he
forbade anyone from using it) and a sturdy fence of wood and bamboo.
I currently have some project in the
works at the school. I'll post details as they materialize and photos
as my internet connection allows.
