May 20, 2008

Water Project Winter 2008

We were informed by Elizabeth in late January that the rains had not come and that the wells were dry at Kusatiwi. The children were walking to the river daily to fill up containers and carry water to the village. Because the rains were scarce, the farm was also in crisis. We looked in to several options to address this problem. They included drilling a 300 foot well; pumping water from the river. In the meantime, Elizabeth was asked to buy water and have it trucked in to the village.

Engineers were hired to perform a feasibility assessment and to size the correct pump and piping. During the February 2008 WWN Board Meeting, Jake donated a piece of land at the river and land or easement for the water pipeline to cross. Jake had previously donated land with a large tower on it. The agreed plan was to utilize an existing pipeline of 2 inch pipe that had been laid in the previous year. The engineers recommended the contraction of a pump house at the river and the purchase of a 12 horsepower pump. Storage tanks were also needed as well as an additional small submersible pump for one of the wells.

The costs to build this project were estimated at $20,000 US. At the time of this crisis, there were no funds earmarked for this project. By the grace of God, money began to come in and within 1 month we had raised the required funds.

By this time the rains had begun and we were given a little room do complete this project. The construction of the pump house began in March and was completed in April. The pump arrived in mid April and we anxiously waited the curing of the concrete at the pump house prior to installation.

The additional tanks were purchased and installed in early May. We received word on May 18 that Kusatiwi had water and that the system was functioning.

A great thank you to all the generous donors who provide the funds to construct this project.

A pictorial of the events follow: