It's near the end of our trip here to Senegal, West Africa. We have been out in the bush in a remote village most of the time, without any connectivity to the outside world.
But now we're back in Dakar, the huge capital city, and I have a chance to catch up on some of the activities.
(and many other parts of the world). This hits home when there is no water coming out of the tap, and the littlest things become impossible. This country is for the most part, a desert. There is little rain fall and no rivers or lakes to speak of.
The water table continues to drop. Ironically, because we dig our own wells and provide solar powered pump and storage systems, we have water - so the gardens we sponsor are thriving.
The problems have become more acute in the last few years, and there are massive water tanker trucks that travel around the country trying to supply water where it is needed the most. Unless something changes, it's kind of a losing battle.
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Our building projects have made tremendous progress. I was working to install plumbing in new old house that we are rehabilitating. It's new to us, but it's a really old colonial French house in need of some serious updating. The house, like all homes here, is built of bricks and concrete.
So when you need to install pipes in the wall, you hammer out the cement and brick and put the pipes in. Then eventually, the brick masons come back and patch the sometimes large holes.
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We gave also been involved in some serious health post improvements - providing equipment, supplies, and training. One of our team, Amy, is a career nurse professional. At the end of one of the seminars, she was invited to observe the birth of a baby, and here she is shown holding the minutes-old baby. Exciting stuff!
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I've been working with a crew of construction guys in the severe heat - regularly over 100 degrees. At the end of our efforts, I gave one of the work crew my shoes (his own were in terrible shape).
I got to know these guys pretty good in the last couple weeks. I'm not sure if "fun" is the right word to use, but it was a rewarding process.
As we left, he wished us "May you leave in peace, and come back in peace."
We will be back soon. We've been coming here for many years in the spirit ... of improving the lives of Senegalese in the remote villages. We like to think we've made a difference.
But now we're back in Dakar, the huge capital city, and I have a chance to catch up on some of the activities.
There is a water shortage here in Senegal
(and many other parts of the world). This hits home when there is no water coming out of the tap, and the littlest things become impossible. This country is for the most part, a desert. There is little rain fall and no rivers or lakes to speak of.
The water table continues to drop. Ironically, because we dig our own wells and provide solar powered pump and storage systems, we have water - so the gardens we sponsor are thriving.
The problems have become more acute in the last few years, and there are massive water tanker trucks that travel around the country trying to supply water where it is needed the most. Unless something changes, it's kind of a losing battle.
---------------------------------------------------
Our building projects have made tremendous progress. I was working to install plumbing in new old house that we are rehabilitating. It's new to us, but it's a really old colonial French house in need of some serious updating. The house, like all homes here, is built of bricks and concrete.
So when you need to install pipes in the wall, you hammer out the cement and brick and put the pipes in. Then eventually, the brick masons come back and patch the sometimes large holes.
----------------------------------------------------
We gave also been involved in some serious health post improvements - providing equipment, supplies, and training. One of our team, Amy, is a career nurse professional. At the end of one of the seminars, she was invited to observe the birth of a baby, and here she is shown holding the minutes-old baby. Exciting stuff!
----------------------------------------------------
I've been working with a crew of construction guys in the severe heat - regularly over 100 degrees. At the end of our efforts, I gave one of the work crew my shoes (his own were in terrible shape).
I got to know these guys pretty good in the last couple weeks. I'm not sure if "fun" is the right word to use, but it was a rewarding process.
As we left, he wished us "May you leave in peace, and come back in peace."
We will be back soon. We've been coming here for many years in the spirit ... of improving the lives of Senegalese in the remote villages. We like to think we've made a difference.
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