November 5, 2014

We were amused to drive by the New Youk Snack Bar on our way to the orphanage each day!

 Things went well today although the celebration was a bit chaotic. In any case the system is operating and the water tastes good.

The system after installation of new switch and rewiring

The Life is Wealth education coordinator teaching the girls' leadership team

We have very much enjoyed working with the folks at Life is Wealth. The operators really took ownership of the system and have worked very hard. They attended health and hygiene training in the mornings and worked to learn the system in the afternoons. The key educators seem very enthusiastic and motivated. It was great that we had time to coach them as they taught Crystal's leadership team girls in the afternoons. Certainly the practice was good for them. It was a real boost as well that Pastor Yves attended every education session, even the afternoons with the girls, and was an enthusiastic participant. Crystal was amazed that he did that.

The water building decorated for the celebration

Pastor Yves speaks at the celebration

As I said, the celebration was a bit unusual. Life is Wealth orphanage is located in a fairly tough neighborhood, and Pastor Yves sent some of his people into the neighborhood to let folks know we would be celebrating the installation and beginning of the water system operation. So at the designated time of 2 pm, there was quite a crowd in the courtyard waiting for the event to start. Pastor Yves opened with prayer and with telling the people about the water, why it was important and what to use it for. Our education group led singing of the “Use This Water” song (in creole) and then we awarded certificates for those who completed the education training and for the operators. We passed out cups of water, and there was a lot of grabbing, getting seconds, and no one waited for a “toast”. Pastor Yves is normally cheerful, in charge and very in control, but he seemed quite different during the celebration. We could only figure there were some elements from the neighborhood who were there to mock and cause trouble and

Steve speaks on behalf of Bower Hill Church

he was concerned about what they would do. Unlike most preachers, he kept it very short and did not talk on and on. When one of our guys asked, he said he just wanted to end it and have the outside folks “go away”. It was all a little strange. Once the celebration was over, Pastor Yves returned to his usual jovial self and thanked us profusely for all we had done and the clean water we had provided for the school and orphans. So with hugs all around he sent us on our way.

Instructors and girls with education certificates

Operators receive certificates

In spite of the weird celebration, we have high hopes that this water board has taken ownership of the system and its future success. Also that the three people selected as educators take their responsibility seriously and will actually do some good health and hygiene training in the school and in the neighborhood. Crystal is there and will be reporting to us how things are going until we can get back there to follow up.

While here in Haiti, we have been worrying over a problem at the Camp Perrin site. Two pumps have burned up in a relatively short period of time. Valdes, one of our Haitian colleagues, believed he had the solution in installing a stronger inverter and a different type pump (and I just told you more than I know). We do not know if Valdes solution will solve the problem, but just sending them another of the same type pump certainly doesn’t seem like a good idea. So we all decided it best to go ahead and give Valdes money to implement his plan. He has some time available now so he can go to Camp Perrin and implement the plan right away. With 2 pumps already burned up it is time to try something different. Chavanne, the director of the facility there, is waiting for some help!