It’s been three weeks since the last Communiqué. The two weeks that followed have been non-stop activity. Continuing with the previous format, here is an overview of the accomplishments with a description by Colette.
People now know there’s plenty water for everyone and the water pressure is so great that it literally takes seconds to fill up a 25 liter bidon. Presently the biggest challenge has been the long wait time, as there is only one staff member to distribute the water with the hose to several hundred people.
Both cisterns are now up. It was quite a sight. Someone had to go inside each cistern that was filled halfway with water to clean it. One of the staff member got stuck getting out. The tank was carefully tilted down and the rest of the team pulled him out. For the second cistern they sent in a young boy.
James trained the woman in charge of distributing the water last week and watched her operating the four faucets stoppers to fill the bidons. She has been doing very well. James also taught the staff how to clean the solar panels. He then connected the remaining pipes.
Everyone thinks it is magical that water is coming out of the faucets, many can not believe they have been living, working and walking on top of water all along without knowing it.
Monday, May 6th: From 2pm to 4pm they filled 102 bidons of 25 liters. Mme Leotine who’s in charge of distributing the water did a fine job.
Tuesday, May 7th: 164 bidons were filled today. We have to yet figure out the best time to distribute the water. Most people are coming after 4pm when office is already closed.
Now that water is readily available, everyone is gradually adjusting their schedules to take advantage of when the spigots are open.
Here are the completed Pump House, The Distribution House, the pump controllers, and the solar panels being cleaned to ensure full access to solar energy.
James Kabunga is doing the final wiring in the pump house. Now that the cisterns are in place he is finalizing the connections between the cisterns, the pump house, the distribution house and the solar panels to ensure that they are all integrated.
Reve Kandale Tournament 2025 Edition: The meeting of the local committee for Tournaments took place on Friday the 3rd, May 2024. The Tournament in 2025, organized by Reve Kandale, will be for girls. Practice games, preparation of the soccer field, and distribution of soccer balls for practice games are already underway.
In September we will identify the teams (girls), train referees on FIFA rules, etc. The girls are extremely excited. Any advice to promote a good tournament will be welcomed.
Here is Colette on Friday the 10th, preparing to return to Kinshasa. She is saying her good-byes after a long productive month.
