This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Charles Gemmell. To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.
The project was to build a hand-dug, cement-lined, well for the community.
Charles reports:
We have completed the well. Two chickens gave their lives to help with the project’s success, one at the beginning and the second near the final depth of the well.
A well digger and his helper dug the well and a large amount of earth was removed to get to 13 meters deep.
Concrete liners with steel reinforcement were built and lowered by another crew into the well to support the walls of the well over time. Then a wall around the well has been made for safety and to prevent contamination.
I will aid the community in producing a cover and rope and pulley system to raise water and other improvements.
The water has started coming into the well and is now clean and healthy.
All the residents are very impressed with the well as it is much better made than others they know about. Most wells are only partly lined with a stucco mixture that breaks down and contaminates the wells over time.
So, people are happy and the kids in the neighborhood have learned some by watching and now will learn more by helping with a community garden area near the well.
We again wish to thank The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust for providing the funding for this project.
Thanks again for all your help and support!