Water

Today was a celebration day at Pope Paul VI. The faculty gathered for a 1:50 pm sendoff, so the ceremony started at 3:05 pm. TIA. It was a wonderful gathering of the faculty, our friend the head teacher was not there, but it gave other people a chance to shine. The Ugandans have a tradition of shaking up soda bottles at occasions, such as this, or birthday parties. I think they thought they were going to surprise us, but the teacher shaking the bottle hit it early. The deputy teacher looked at him and said, "We were going on 3....1, 2, 3." It was hilarious and the entire faculty was laughing uproariously and having a great time.

But that will have to wait for another day....We had water at Anaka for about a day and a half. We thought the problem was temporary, but there was more to it than that. Something about not being able to pay the pump attendant, because finances were low. Last week we were lamenting our situation, and it dawned on me that we were still not working too hard for our water. Each day when we come back to the house, they are 4 Jerry cans filled with water. Who does this our 122 lb. cook, she walks down to the bore hole and carries one on her head and one in her hand, so two trips.

Maureen has been battling malaria or some other disease. She was not able to cook for us last night, and we realized we had to take care of ourselves. Kelley and I hopped after it with no problem, burning the trash, washing the dishes, and going to the bore hole to fill 3 Jerry cans. There was not the familiar sound of metal clanging so I knew no one was pumping at the bore hole. It is a little convenient, right outside of our house, 45 meters away. We filled up all three without too much problem, actually I pumped almost one full and then students took over for us.

Later in the day, I realized with the dish washing we would need more water for tonight. We would have to wash the dishes after dinner, this being our last night in Anaka. Also I was not sure if the Immodium would hold and I did not want to be trapped with my past history in the toilet (it takes a lot of water to flush the toilet manually). So I went to the bore hole to fill up two cans. Except this time, it was much more difficult...the water did not want to seem to come. Clang, Clang, Clang, I pumped furiously and even counted to 50 good reps, but one of the students said, "Sir, the water is not there." A couple of them took over and we alternated, but still just a trickle. We worked harder and harder, and finally something came.
But still what an effort....It just amazes how much of the world has to go through this or worse to find usable water. It is not easy.

John