Work Starts!

Hello from Ddegeya, Uganda. We have had a very intense, but rewarding 3 days here.  After a long car ride from Kampala (thanks to Deborah for arranging transport!), we finally made it to Engeye Health Clinic.  Upon arrival, we were met by John, the clinic director.  John was very helpful to help set us up in our homes and answer our questions.  Our hosts, Maama Mwanika and Eddie, are very nice and accommodating.  Living in Ddegeya is definitely different from Boston, but we are enjoying it (for the most part).  The village is very peaceful, but sswalking down the street sometimes feels like a parade.  The children call out “Muzunga!” (white person) and come down to wave or hug us.

We met with the Water Board on Thursday.  It was a very successful meeting- all 5 clusters were ready for us to start construction of the tanks.  Today we started digging the ring beams of the tanks.  Digging was interesting… The Ugandan soil is made of mostly hard, dry clay, which is difficult, if not impossible to dig.  Eventually, we finished the beam channels.  Vanya and I (Becca) then followed behind and mixed and poured the concrete for the ring beams.  We managed to finish 2 and a half of the beams today, and plan on completing the rest tomorrow.  While the beams cure, we will be installing the gutters that will divert the rain water to the tanks. 

We’re all very excited to see these ring beams finished and the main water retention holes dug.