Water pumps and murder suspects!

So we’re now really excited about seeing everyone again. We’re also pretty excited at the thought of real food again and I think Rach would like a few hot baths so that she can show her feet in public again. She keeps complaining that they’re “disgusting”, but they look the same as everyone else’s round here (i.e. black).

We’ve both been really busy but I guess I’ve had the more interesting time lately. By interesting I really mean intensely frustrating, but am not complaining. I have spent the last 5+ months at Kachere trying desperately to get some running water and finally, at 4.30pm on Monday - just as I was tucking into my first lovely cool beer at the local lodge - the team arrived. I quickly cycled the 10kms required and helped them withdraw the water pump from 52m below
ground. All pretty impressive, but unfortunately, it’s just be confirmed that it isn’t working, so now we are really in trouble as it’s way too expensive to replace. After the team had left, the local police commandeered the Ripple truck that was giving me a lift home and for added entertainment, took us all to search for a murder suspect! Thankfully he didn’t materialize so all’s well and mum has no need to panic.

I have also been working with a couple of local lads to do some reforestation work in the next village along. We have around 800 trees to plant so I have my work cut out there too. The health centre is otherwise all ok. I saw 101 patients last Monday - a personal record - and only managed 84 this Monday as it was raining. I have to say though, I am a bit nervous because cholera has broken out about 100kms north of here and we have virtually no supplies. We have 5L left of iv fluids, no oral antibiotics and no Oral Rehydration Sachets. Fingers crossed eh! I have put myself on standby with the District Health Officer such that if things get really bad up north, I’ll go and help for a few days, but that’s pretty unlikely at the moment. Life at Mwaya is also good, and we haven’t got a lot to add from previous blogs. Only 2 and half more weeks in camp then we’ll make our way on the buses or train up to Tanzania. A few days in Zanzibar then back to blighty. Tick tock.
Just don’t forget:

Saturday 28th Feb:
Venue: “Duke of Cambridge” Pub in Battersea. It’s 228 Battersea Bridge Rd, SW11 3AA
Time: 1pm until closing.
Everyone is welcome (and expected!).



Rach is sitting back now and making sure all her projects are working under their own steam, which for the most part they are. A few little things to pull together, but that all should happen next week. Two of the Pre-schools are having ‘Open Day’s’ next week, so that should be fun.

Managed to get lots of photos on this week, finally found a good way of shrinking them! After 6 months! Enjoy.


Love to you all.
Marc (and Rach) .xxxxxx

---

---