Sang and danced all day

Today we met the people of Mitaboni. What amazing people they are. We worked alongside many of them and helped them build two holding tanks. The tanks will have water pumped to them from a pre-existing weir, it will then be purified and used for villagers to drink and water their plants with. These tanks will change the lives of everyone in that area. Currently some women have to walk up 6 kilometres and pay for just 20 gallons of water. If you want to know what that's like then get a large camping water jug and strap it to your back, now hike six kilometres, fill the water jug, and hike six more. Oh wait I forgot the important part, I'm pretty sure it really is uphill both ways! That was tiring just writing the sentences let alone actually doing it. Not only will they have cleaner water closer to home but they will also be able to use all the time they would have spent fetching water to instead grow plants to feed their families and sell at the markets. This is LIFE CHANGING!!

When we got to Mitaboni we split into groups and some of us started hauling dirt while others helped finish the mortar and bricks for the first tank. Those of us who were digging and hauling dirt worked alongside the women for the most part. They are an inspiring group who kept us all singing Ki-Comba and dancing as we went. Somehow the work seems better when you're dancing.

lisa