January 9, 2010 - Ddegeya

In the morning, water collection from Nalongo already began at 6:30 a.m. in earnest, in half-light.

Kevin checked the developing Petrifilm tests. The results did not seem very promising---he was unable to see any dots at all.

At 9:30 a.m., Joseph showed up and we went to BH6/P3. Along the way, there were many children with jerry cans who were also on the way to collect water from these functioning sources. P3 has milky water, with tadpoles and lilies in it, and is about 5-6 m long and about 4 m wide. The soil near P3 was clumpy---according to Dave, it stuck together rather well, and could be rolled into a ball. P3's water, according to Mike's estimate, was at least 3-ft deep. During our time there, 1 child carrying two jerry cans collected water directly from the pond. When asked why he didn't collect water from the nearby BH6, he responded that the water from the BH was smelly (of fish).

We then visited BH6. The soil near BH6 was about the same as that near P3, except drier. There were quite a few (maybe 5) children pumping water. The water was also milky and somewhat turbid. The yield was moderate, appearing less than that of BH4 (Nalongo). One woman was washing and drying clothes nearby. According to Joseph, she used water from P3. When we tried to pump from BH6, the handle felt moderate resistance. It took several (e.g. about 10) strokes before any water came out. According to Dave and Mike, this is normal for BHs.

We then revisited BH5. Mike and Dave took the top cover off, and we saw chains with spider webs---to our disappointment from yesterday's expectations, we could not see much into the BH. We suspected a segmented pole. Mike and Dave then tried to take the pump head off. The four bolts on the pump head was extremely difficult to take off, keeping getting stuck---and it is quite clear that this probably wasn't opened for some time.

In the meanwhile, some kids gathered around and started offering some assistance to Mike and Dave. Two women came, and Kevin started an ad hoc interview with them, with the help of Joseph's translation. The details are given as follows:

Household 6
The woman's name is Mrs. Madina Mamutalanzi. She lives near the Trading Centre, and owns farmlands near BH5, as well as a garden near the Trading Centre. She practises subsistance farming, and had been picking ground nuts before we came to BH5. When BH5 was built about 10 years ago, she was in charge of it, collecting 500 UGX/month from about 30 households nearby to maintain BH5's operation. BH5 used to give good water that is steady through the seasons. Ever since BH5 broke down about 5 years ago, she stopped her role as the BH manager. She tried to get more pipes, and said that we should at least remove the pump head (apparently no one before us had done this successfully). She suspected the leakeage of water to be part of the BH problem. She also commented that in 2008, before Helen et al. came, someone from the village council also tried to open BH5 (but did not). If we managed to have BH5 fixed, she would be interested in resuming her role as the BH manager.

Ever since BH5 stopped working, Mrs. Mamutalanzi has had the kids gather water from P3. When asked why water was collected from P3 as opposed to the nearby BH6, she said that BH6 has not been functioning well---some problem with the machine. Her family of 5 people (4 of which are children) needs about 4 jerry cans of water per day---and 1 daily trip is sufficient. She boils water for drinking; when asked why, she said that this kills germs. She buys either firewood or charcoal to boil water. The cost is about 1000 UGX/day, which she considers to be expensive. Having boiled the water, this is put into small jerry cans (5 L) different from the jerry cans used for P3. Of the 4 jerry cans, about 2 are used for washing (not a daily activity), 10 L for cooking, 5 L for drinking, and the remainer, for washing house and/or bathing.

She practises rainwater collection in 4 jerry cans (and possibly small drums). During a heavy rain, 7-8 jerry cans' worth of water can be collected, which can last the family about 3 days. The family also boils rainwater. If the clinic were to set up some rainwater collection and storage facility, she would still prefer water from P3 (which we guess is probably nearer than the clinic).
The woman is generally not busy, and would be interested in coming to our workshops. She suggests a time of 3 p.m., though Kevin responded that this must be arranged with John.
During this time, Dave and Mike had succeeded in removing the four bolts and taking off the pump head. However, they were unable to detach the rod from the chain because of a frame.
We then crossed the Masaka-Mbarara Road to visit BH7, which is also non-functioning. BH7 was surrounded by dense vegetation, obviously abandoned for a while. According to Joseph, a rich house naer the Masaka-Mbarara Road built this BH maybe about 10 years ago, and this BH was also used by about 20 households from Bunyere (according to Joseph, Ddegeya is south of the road; north of the road, the name becomes Bunyere). This BH never gave enough water even at the start. Now this rich family pays someone to fetch water from Nalongo, according to Joseph. Mike and Dave, together with the help of some following kids, tried to take away the pump covering and the pump head, which proved a little easier this time. When the pump covering was removed, we saw that there used to be a beehive inside near the chains. We however encountered the same problem, and could not detach the rod from the chain. Mike and Dave contemplated taking apart the middle flange with the four bolts (the pump head just mentioned refers to the top flange with the four bolts). We might do this later.

On our way back to the clinic along the Masaka-Mbarara Road (near the Trading Centre), we saw that the side of the road has been dug, and there are some pipes. These are apparently for a telecommunications service from Kampala. We also came across a water pumping station, which brings water from Masaka to Kinoni.

Near noon, we returned to the clinic. We tried to think of ways to put together the sieves of different sizes. Dave wanted to find/purchase wood such that we could make a frame out of it for the sieves. Francis had a better idea: behind the clinic, there was a pile of bricks. We removed some of these and built a base, sandwiching one of the sieve screens between a brick layer. This proved moderately successful, but the screen seemed a bit small: it would take a long while to get ample amount of fine sand. Francis said that there is a neighbour who may have one of the larger screens, and he would like to ask if it could be lent. We probably do not need a larger screen for the larger-sized sieves, since it is likely that sieving the fine sand will be the rate-limiting step.

Joseph arrived at about 3:30 p.m. and we went for more household interviews. The results are given as below. Towards the latter few interviews, Joseph got a bit tired/impatient, and sometimes would give "translations" to questions even though the family has spoken very little. These statements are surrounded by three asterisks ***...***.

Household 7
Mrs. Nalongo Ssemjengo's family practises subsistance farming, and has never been interviewed before. Normally, there are 7 people in this family, 2 of which are children. Currently, two adults are away for holiday. Normally, the family uses about 2 jerry cans of water, but in the days of washing, they may need 4 jerry cans (2-3 for washing). Cooking and dish-washing take about 1 jerry can, and drinking, 5 L. The family collects rainwater from Nalongo (BH4 and P1)---usually children but sometimes also Mrs. Nalongo Ssemjengo. Water is fetched about 3 times a day, each trip taking about 30 minutes minimum, but sometimes children play. The family collects water from both the pump and the pond---the pond when the waiting time the pump is more than 10 minutes, or when the pump is not functioning. Mrs. Ssemjengo thinks that the pump water is very clean---she can see it with her eyes. She knows about P2 but does not use it, because the water is not clean from the bamboo.

The family boils drinking water---they collect firewood from an eucalyptus forest. It takes 30 minutes to boil 5 L of water, and the water is kept boiling for about 5 minutes in a saucepan. Water is tehn stored in 5 L jerry cans, and drunk from cups. We inspected one of those jerry cans, and the can appears quite old. The bottom of the can interior appears black---we do not know if it is the plastic surface that is tainted black, or if it is the sediments.

The family practises rainwater collection in small jerry cans and saucepans. There are a few containers, totaling to about 20 L (???). Rainwater is boiled before drunk, because the family was taught by health workers (Engeye) that rainwater is dirty. When it rains again and the old rainwater is not finished, the family does not throw the old rainwater away but let the new rainwater accumulate on top. Even in the rainy season, the family always need to go to Nalongo. When asked if the family would be interested in using rainwater collected at the clinic, Mrs. Ssemjengo responded that the answer is obvious---the water will be clean. The family will be willing to wait for 10 minutes in line for this water.

Household 8
Mrs. Sauda (???) Muwanika's family (we found out later that this turned out to be a village elder) has a farm/plantation, and speaks no English. There are 6 people in her family, 4 of which are school-aged children. The family needs about 6 jerry cans of water per day: 3 for cooking/washing/bathing, 1 for feeding the cow, and 2 for cloth-washing. The family keeps the rest (???). Water is collected from Nalongo---sometimes BH4, and sometimes P1. The family considers the pond water to be not very clean, because there are stones and leaves in it. The family is willing to wait for about 20 minutes at the pump before heading to the pond. Children usually take turns getting water---they go on bicycle, and the trip takes about 30 minutes. The family makes about 3 trips per day, carrying about 2 jerry cans of water per trip. Mrs. Muwanika is unaware of P2, though the kids may.

For drinking, the family boils 10 L of water, which lasts for about 2 days. The family boils water because this kills germs. The family buys firewood---about 1000 shillings per day for both boiling water and cooking. This is not considered a major cost---medication, school fees, and food (the family does not raise enough food itself) cost more, with food being the most expensive. It takes about 30 minutes to heat up 10 L of water, and this is kept boiling for 10 minutes. Boiled water is stored in one 10-L jerry can, drunk from cups. When asked to show us this jerry can, the family stated that this time the water in it has not been boiled. So cross-contamination could be possible. Sometimes the family also takes tea in flasks.

The family collects rainwater in a drum, though this is not filled. The roof has no gutters. During heavy rains, the water in the drum can hypothetically last for a month (though it is not clear if this ever was a reality since the family indicated that the drum is not filled). Extra water is always obtained from Nalongo. Rainwater is boiled because roofing is not always clean. However, compared to Nalongo water (P1), the family thinks the rainwater is cleaner; they mention soil erosion as a reason. The family also thinks that compared to the borehold (BH4), the rainwater is dirtier. The family would be willing to go to the clinic to get rainwater from a storage, because it is believed that this water might be treated by the clinic. The family would also like to see our workshop. The ideal time for the workshop is 3 p.m., and the family's available time depends on the interest of the workshop. It would most likely be the husband who would attend the workshop.

Household 9
Mrs. Marian and Ide Kakimbo are two widows (around 70 years old) of the late Mr. Kakimbo. There are other wives who also have died. We note that there is a kerosene lamp in the living room. The kerosene costs about 1800 UGX/L, and according to Joseph, is used by the rich. The family consists of 10 grandchildren (of which 1 goes to school currently), though four of them are currently in Kampala. There are 4 adults, bringing the total family size to 14. The family practises subsistance farming, but also weaves baskets/mats for sale. For a total of 14 people, the family needs about 4 jerry cans of water. During days of cloth-washing, 2 more jerry cans of water are needed. Water can also be used to clean house and cook. About 5 L is drunk per day. The children collect water from Nalongo---sometimes the pump, but if the pump is not functioning, then the pond. The family thinks that the pump has the better water since it is not contaminated with leaves. The family is not aware of P2. The family also occasionally goes to BH6 during times of drought, but does not collect from the nearby P3. The family considers BH6 water to be nearer but dirtier than BH4---the BH6 water tastes salty.

The family boils drinking water. Firewood is used for this purpose, and if the small forest does not provide sufficient firewood, then it is bought at 5000-10000 UGX/month. It takes about 30 minutes for 10 L of water to reach boiling, and once so, it is kept boiling for 5 minutes in a saucepan or kettle. Boiled water is transferred to small jerry cans (5 L), and drunk from cups. We saw that these jerry cans are actually juice containers---they are quite black inside.
The family always collects rainwater in 3 drums---though these are becoming quite old (23 years). It used to be that a drum can yield about 12 jerry cans of water, though now this has been reduced to 8 jerry cans because of leakage. The drums can fill up. If this happens, then the family does not need to go to Nalongo for a couple of months. It is only during times of climate change (seasonal or long-term global???) that the family goes to the well. ***The family would gather rainwater from the clinic, because the clinic has clean water.*** The family would like to learn more about our workshops. Evenings (3 p.m.) is a good time. The two widows would be the ones coming, even though they are about 70 years old.

Household 10
Mr. Muhamed Mayinja has a large and rich house! The religion is probably Islam. There are 6 people in the family, 4 of which are children. 2 go to school, while 2 are too young. The family collects about 5 jerry cans of water per day: 2 for washing, 2 for cooking, 2 for bathing, and about 10 L for drinking. The water collection is done by children at Nalongo---BH4 only. It takes the children about 30 minutes to fetch water, and they make about 3 trips per day, carrying about 2 jerry cans per trip.

To treat the water, the family has two options. They can boil 20 L of water, which lasts for 2 days, or put a pill of Water Guard (??) inside 20 L. A pack of 15 pills costs 1500 UGX (which, Mike speculates, may be cheaper than buying firewood to boil water). The family can also collect firewood from a forest. If boiled, the 20L of water takes about 5 minutes to heat up (we noted that this figure sounds unrealistic but did not argue with them) and the family keeps the water boiling for 30 minutes. Boiling is done in a saucepan or kettle---and boiled water is stored in a different jerry can from the ones to fetch water.

The family collects some rainwater in a drum---there are no roof gutters. The drum is sufficient for 200 L, or 10 jerry cans of water. During heavy rain, the drum can fill up, giving the family a few days of water without needing to go to Nalongo. The frequency that this happens depends on whether it is the rainy or the dry season. The family does treat rainwater the same way before drinking, because there is dust on the roof. If the clinic were to provide rainwater catchment and storage, the family would gather water here because the water is nearer and probably more clean.

We did not ask the family about the workshop---since the technologies we introduce will probably not have so much impact on their lives, and since Joseph seems itching to leave.

Household 11
Mrs. Nasuna's family are subsistance farmers. There are 8 people in the family, 6 of which are school children. The family needs about 4-5 jerry cans of water per day, gathered from P3 because BH6 is not functioning well. The problem with BH6 is probably with the chain---it yields little water. The family used to collect water from BH5 many years ago and used to pay 500 UGX/month for its maintenance. Someone was responsible for maintaining this BH (see the description in Household 6 for cross-reference) but this person no longer lives in this village. BH5 dried gradually, but used to give water year-round. The family only uses Nalongo when P3 is dry. If using Nalongo, they gather water from BH4, except when it is crowded---they are willing to wait for about 5 minutes. The children fetch water on bicycles, and it takes about 30 minutes per trip. Two trips are made per day---morning and evening---and each trip about 3-4 jerry cans of water are filled.

The family spends about 2-3 jerry cans of water washing clothing, 2 jerry cans for kitchen/cooking, and 10 L of water for drinking. The family drinks boiled water, though children don't mind drinking unboiled water. The family boils water using firewood---the yield from its forest is insufficient, so they often have to purchase additional firewood, at about 2000 UGX/week. The family does not consider this to be a significant cost---medication and school fees are the most significant ones. It takes about 30 minutes for 10 L of water to go to boiling, and the water is kept at boiling for about 10 minutes. Boiling is done in a saucepan, and then stored in small 3L jerry cans. We saw a couple of these---they are again a little old but functional. The interior is slightly blackened. Water is drunk from glasses.
The family collects rainwater in a drym. ***This yields about 10 jerry cans of water. The family also has roof guttering---though this is small.*** During heavy rain, the drum can fill up, yielding water for a couple of days. ***During this time, the family needs not fetch water from elsewhere.*** This happens occasionally. The family boils rainwater before drinking---there are flies and mosquitoes breeding in the drum. The children may not. The family thinks that the rainwater is cleaner---they can just see and prove. Even if the clinic were to set up a rainwater collection system, the family would still gather water from BH6 mainly due to the distance.
The family would be interested in our workshop. Evenings (***e.g. 3 p.m.***) is good. Mrs. Nasuna would attend herself, and she would be available until whenever.

It was close to half past six when we finished these interviews. Joseph indicated that he would not be available tomorrow (Sunday), but he could show us more boreholes on Monday morning, and do some more interviews Monday afternoon. We might use tomorrow for a shopping trip to Masaka. During the night, Kevin became Dora's humble apprentice in chapati-making (with curry powder and a lot of oil), while Dave became a prospective apprentice. After dinner, Joe, Mike, Dave, and Kevin walked to a store near the Tracing Centre to get some drinks and supplies. Having returned to the clinic, Joe and Mike had a very involved discussion about terrorism, military presence, and U.S. policies from 2000-present. Dave continued his discussion about British English.