 |
| Thumbs UP! Jane Collingwood |
Monday, January 14, 2013
Saturday, January 12, 2013
We have clean, safe drinking water - a job well done!
Friday was a day of contrasts. On the one hand, the issues with the town water committee continued while, on the other hand, we officially dedicated the new water filtration system and toasted with clean, safe drinking water.
The Puerto Grande town water committee has not given anyone in the town water since last Thursday,
January 3. As a result many people in the town do not have any water in their homes. To further exacerbate the issue, over night the town water committee disconnected the connection we had made from the newly installed water filtration system to the water main. It was considered the wrong type of line and is therefore under review. There are two people on this elected committee holding the power. Words comes to mind to describe these people, such as bully, tyrant, politician...etc.
However they are the ones who will have egg on their faces!
While the convenience of a town water line would be fine, we only require a water source to create clean safe drinking water. In the meantime, the newly trained operators will continue with the same method we used over the past week to get water to the filtration system - by driving to the river with large barrels, filling them, returning to the water filtration shed, and then using buckets to supply the system and provide safe drinking water.
While the convenience of a town water line would be fine, we only require a water source to create clean safe drinking water. In the meantime, the newly trained operators will continue with the same method we used over the past week to get water to the filtration system - by driving to the river with large barrels, filling them, returning to the water filtration shed, and then using buckets to supply the system and provide safe drinking water.
These issues were more than offset by the dedication and the ceremony to officially open the operational water filtration system. All done in true Puerto Grande style with praise, songs, bands, and certificates. It was a very happy occasion.
We arrived last Sunday, January 6, and I said that by the end of the week we would become a bigger family, and so it was. After the dedication we had a brief time of hugging and thanking all of them. We came into their lives and we are changed forever. 'till we meet again.
We return to the capital, Tegucigalpa (or Tegus for short), on Saturday morning for our flights back home.
We return to the capital, Tegucigalpa (or Tegus for short), on Saturday morning for our flights back home.
We are sending our in country LWW technician Olvin and Melvin back to Puerto Grande in three weeks to see how the new water saints are coming along.
See below for some photos of the celebration.
See below for some photos of the celebration.
 |
| A toast to clean water |
 |
| Pastor Posada asks us to toast |
 |
| Cutting the ribbon |
 |
| Pastor Posada & Melvin at dedication |
 |
| Pastor Richard from KHISH medical team |
 |
| David handing our certificates to Trained operator |
 |
| David with the trained operators |
 |
| Leigh at dedication ceremony |
 |
| Thumbs up, a job well done! |
 |
| Right hand to the heaven, left hand to the building |
 |
| Tinto singing |
 |
| The word is out - we have clean water |
 |
| Leigh giving certificates |
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Last day of teaching
The last day of teaching was wonderful. All our trainees returned, each very enthusiastic. Our finale was a one act play, 'Moses Crossing the Red Sea'. Leigh reports that the whole week was well received by a wonderful mix of men and women of all ages. The result of our efforts is 14 qualified teachers who will carry on in our place. The final afternoon class today comprised the youngest trainees.
A celebration is planned for tomorrow (Friday). The KHISH team (of doctors and dentists) who have been providing medical services to people in Puerto Grande will join us. We shopped at a nearby town, Nacaome, for "celebration supplies". Nacaome has a lovely garden square.
Lunch today was (again) delicious, a tasty fish dish cooked by Luisa.
The water filtration room is still not connected to the town's water supply (unfortunately continuing water "politics"). So the team repeated yesterday's approach and trucked water in barrels from a local water source and used buckets to transfer it to the filter barrel on the roof of the water house. Cleaning the system (using a bleach solution) and testing the plumbing was completed. The system is now ready to produce clean, filtrated water.
The town's water committee stated that some customers were in default on their bills so there is "no water for anyone until all bills are paid".
See below for photos from today.
A celebration is planned for tomorrow (Friday). The KHISH team (of doctors and dentists) who have been providing medical services to people in Puerto Grande will join us. We shopped at a nearby town, Nacaome, for "celebration supplies". Nacaome has a lovely garden square.
Lunch today was (again) delicious, a tasty fish dish cooked by Luisa.
The water filtration room is still not connected to the town's water supply (unfortunately continuing water "politics"). So the team repeated yesterday's approach and trucked water in barrels from a local water source and used buckets to transfer it to the filter barrel on the roof of the water house. Cleaning the system (using a bleach solution) and testing the plumbing was completed. The system is now ready to produce clean, filtrated water.
The town's water committee stated that some customers were in default on their bills so there is "no water for anyone until all bills are paid".
See below for photos from today.
 |
| Moses Crossing the Red Sea |
 |
| Pastor Posada - a happy man |
 |
| Fish for lunch - absolutely delicious |
 |
| Our trainees inspect the water system |
 |
| Cows on the road, pigs, chickens, donkeys, heck its like a farm-wondering down the road |
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
The water sample tells it all!
Jane took a water sample on Monday and tested it for impurities. The result (see photo below) speaks volumes this is why we are installing a water filtration system at Puerto Grande - the water has turned black as a result of all the bacterial growth. This is the water that the people in Puerto Grande drink!
Yesterday we left Puerto Grande wondering if the filtration system would be connected to the town's water supply in order to clean out and test the filtration system that the water team (David, Dave, Harlon and Franklin) had installed. Unfortunately the water was not connected but we are keeping fingers crossed and praying that there will be water available tomorrow (Thursday). Rather than wait, Pastor Posado arranged four pickup trucks to collect water in barrels from the local well or river so the tanks could be cleaned and the plumbing checked for leaks.
If we have the water connected to the system tomorrow, it will be up and running. There are photos below of the team working today with their make-shift arrangements.
If we have the water connected to the system tomorrow, it will be up and running. There are photos below of the team working today with their make-shift arrangements.
In the teacher trainee class they had all returned for new lessons. It is good news that they came back for more. We created a one act play of Moses crossing the Red Sea, we all painted our hands to create a wall hanging "clean hands health bodies", and then played charades which was a lot of fun, generating much laughter.
 |
| Would you drink this? |
 |
| Leigh and Liz at work |
 |
| Leigh at work |
 |
| Liz with some friends |
 |
| Using water from the well to clean out the system |
 |
| David coming down off the roof |
 |
| Lunch today - delicious |
 |
| Jane doing what she likes best - shopping |
 |
| Melvin (our interpreter) and Luisa cooking lunch |
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
It's a long way to Chile
The training team (Leigh, Liz, Jane and Melvin our interpreter) started a class of 14 students this morning. As a funny ice breaker we shook their hands with glitter - they all laughed, what we wanted them to see was how quickly we pass germs around. We explained our approach to training (visual, audio, mechanical) and proceeded with a lesson that involved cutting pieces to add to the creation story, then we arranged these pieces on a large poster in order of cleanliness, singing a hand cleaning song to the tune of Jesus Loves Me!
The class loved the activities and we had both men and women enjoying the fun, one was tasting two water samples, one of salty water and, the other, made of water containing crushed cookies. This was to stress that what looks like drinkable water (the salty water) is not necessarily the case.
In the afternoon class , our trainee teachers squirmed to see the new student class drink the salty water.
We teach our trainees (14) every morning with a new program and they then repeat the days lesson to new students daily. We taught around 60 members of the community in just 3 days.
In the afternoon class , our trainee teachers squirmed to see the new student class drink the salty water.
We teach our trainees (14) every morning with a new program and they then repeat the days lesson to new students daily. We taught around 60 members of the community in just 3 days.
The water team (David, Dave, Harlon, Franklin and Orlando, the interpreter) made great progress, finishing the installation of the system and training of the operators. The next step was to clean out and test the system. That is where we hit a "speed bump". This process requires water and because it is still the "dry season" water is rationed and is only available each Wednesday from 5 a.m to 12 p.m. So they were unable to complete this work today. The water team were also concerned that they would not have enough time between 5 a.m and noon to complete the cleaning and testing and requested that water be available to them for a longer period. This required a decision by the township water committee. The committee was meeting as we left for the day. We hope and pray that this matter will be resolved by the time we return on Wednesday morning.
Earlier Melvin and I went shopping in Nacaome and bought two chickens,salsa, rice and beans lunch, cooked for us by the pastor's wife.
On the journey up to Puerto Grande we picked up four hitch hikers - all militiamen. They were very grateful for the ride. We also met two motorcyclists from New Jersey who were traveling to Chile.
 |
| Lunch |
 |
| Liz helping with the training |
 |
| Leigh training Melvin translating |
 |
| Our hitch hikers, they pulled us over on the road so they could jump in our pick up. |
 |
| Cooking demonstration, Tortilla |
 |
| Motorcyclists from South NJ going to Chile. |
Monday, January 7, 2013
Monday - a very busy day
The real work started today. We formed two groups, the water group (David, Dave, Harlon and Franklin) and the teaching group (Leigh, Liz, Jane and Melvin). Jane was in her "Im in charge" ,leader, shlepper,go get, accountant group!
The water group started at 10 a.m. with a brief explanation to the trainee operators (Felix, Luis, Roberto and Pastor Posada) of what was to be achieved. Dave and Franklin then provided instruction on the assembly of the water board inside the building (photo) while Harlon, David and another interpreter, Orlando, lifted a 1,100 liter water tank onto the roof (photo). This provides gravity feed to the water board inside. A barrel filter (photo) will also reside on the roof, through which water will pass, exiting as clarified water. There is another 1,100 liter tank outside the building built up off the ground on blocks, just higher than the water pump. During the day the pastor had a work crew dig up the road to insert a feed pipe into the main water pipe.
David said it was an amazing thing! Any missing parts just appeared out of the woodwork.
The teaching group started their day by traveling to the Port town of San Lorenzo we were in search of a photocopier, extra certificates for our trainees and a hardware store for plumbing parts, bags of ice. What had such fun shopping at the local market.
We arrived at Puerto Grande around midday in time to make the team sandwiches and enjoy the local black sugary coffee, boiled not stirred! As our team starts training on Tuesday so we had a tour of the town (lots of rocky streets) and we noted that most homes there were fish drying in the sun on the fence in each garden. The tour also afforded glimpses of the Pacific Ocean with fishermen (primer livelihood) working in the bay (photo).
Jane conducted a water sample for testing, the only water supply was from the main pipe in the street.
There are also pictures of the our team at Church on Sunday, Puerto Grande.
The water group started at 10 a.m. with a brief explanation to the trainee operators (Felix, Luis, Roberto and Pastor Posada) of what was to be achieved. Dave and Franklin then provided instruction on the assembly of the water board inside the building (photo) while Harlon, David and another interpreter, Orlando, lifted a 1,100 liter water tank onto the roof (photo). This provides gravity feed to the water board inside. A barrel filter (photo) will also reside on the roof, through which water will pass, exiting as clarified water. There is another 1,100 liter tank outside the building built up off the ground on blocks, just higher than the water pump. During the day the pastor had a work crew dig up the road to insert a feed pipe into the main water pipe.
David said it was an amazing thing! Any missing parts just appeared out of the woodwork.
The teaching group started their day by traveling to the Port town of San Lorenzo we were in search of a photocopier, extra certificates for our trainees and a hardware store for plumbing parts, bags of ice. What had such fun shopping at the local market.
We arrived at Puerto Grande around midday in time to make the team sandwiches and enjoy the local black sugary coffee, boiled not stirred! As our team starts training on Tuesday so we had a tour of the town (lots of rocky streets) and we noted that most homes there were fish drying in the sun on the fence in each garden. The tour also afforded glimpses of the Pacific Ocean with fishermen (primer livelihood) working in the bay (photo).
Jane conducted a water sample for testing, the only water supply was from the main pipe in the street.
There are also pictures of the our team at Church on Sunday, Puerto Grande.
 |
| Franklin teaching in the water room |
 |
| David & Harlon |
 |
| David training, barrel filter. |
 |
| Fishing boats in Puerto Grande Bay |
 |
| Harlon,Liz,Jane,Leigh,Melvin,David,Dave, Pastor Posada, Franklin |
 |
| Leigh, boy, Liz |
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Sunday, January 6
This morning, Sunday January 6, we attended the morning service at Mar de Galilea church in Puerto Grande.
Afterwards we met the people who have signed on for the training as operators (4) for the water system and teachers (14) who will continue the health classes.
We then went on a boat ride in motorized canoes to Tiger Island where we had lunch (fish, plantains and a few beers) at the Dignita beach restaurant. Our captain then took us on a ride around the island passing Nicaragua in the distant shore.
The good news of the day is that our missing trunk (containing electrical components for the water system) has arrived.
We are now all set for tomorrow with installation and other training classes starting at 9 am.
Some photos included - the "water team" and Jane, Liz and Leigh.
Afterwards we met the people who have signed on for the training as operators (4) for the water system and teachers (14) who will continue the health classes.
We then went on a boat ride in motorized canoes to Tiger Island where we had lunch (fish, plantains and a few beers) at the Dignita beach restaurant. Our captain then took us on a ride around the island passing Nicaragua in the distant shore.
The good news of the day is that our missing trunk (containing electrical components for the water system) has arrived.
We are now all set for tomorrow with installation and other training classes starting at 9 am.
Some photos included - the "water team" and Jane, Liz and Leigh.
 |
| Jane, Liz, Leigh (labels out) |
 |
| David Gellatly, Harlon Mills, Melvin Flores, Dave Parks, Leigh Willis, Jane Collingwood, Liz LeClair |
We Made It
Saturday, January 5, was a long day for us all, but we made it to Real Vista Hermosa Hotel Nacaome,near Puerto Grande (where Internet connectivity is not that great). I had flown with United from Tampa to Houston where I met David and Liz, who had flown United from Newark to Houston, just minutes before boarding the United flight to Tegucigalpa. Leigh flew separately to Honduras through Atlanta with Delta.
While we all arrived in one piece, one piece of luggage (the trunk containing the electrical components for the filtration system) did not. We hope and pray that it arrives today.
We have a plan for Sunday.
Up early, cold shower, breakfast refried beans, tortillas, egg, fruit, watermelon juice, great coffee. We needed to leave at 8.30 a.m. for church service, afterwards we could met the people who we will train to use the LWW system.
Our afternoon was a tourist trip on canoe boats to a nearby island (Tiger Island) for lunch, returning to the hotel around 5 p.m. for a dip in the pool and a cold beer.
While we all arrived in one piece, one piece of luggage (the trunk containing the electrical components for the filtration system) did not. We hope and pray that it arrives today.
We have a plan for Sunday.
Up early, cold shower, breakfast refried beans, tortillas, egg, fruit, watermelon juice, great coffee. We needed to leave at 8.30 a.m. for church service, afterwards we could met the people who we will train to use the LWW system.
Our afternoon was a tourist trip on canoe boats to a nearby island (Tiger Island) for lunch, returning to the hotel around 5 p.m. for a dip in the pool and a cold beer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)