Progress Report 3: Thirty-six Feet and Counting!

I visited the site of the children’s activity center this past weekend and things are moving forward with the well-digging, as well as initiation of other construction tasks. A fuel-efficient firewood stove was constructed by a local carpenter who had been trained by a Makindu-based NGO that promotes efficient energy use. The ‘rocket stove’ is intended to burn clean fuel (firewood instead of paraffin or kerosene) and more efficiently, so as to temper the devastating effects of excessive deforestation. The stove is being used by the day-laborers to cook their mid-day repast, and will be used in the future by the askari (security guard) and centre employees.

The well has reached 36 feet! As I glanced down into the nausea-inducingly-deep hole, through the thick layer of rock the workers have chipped away, there is supposedly hope lurking…the hope of hitting water at 40 feet. * fingers crossed *

The hole for the pit latrines has also been dug; now the task of financing and building the necessarily-expensive and sturdy platform comes into view. Water should be hooked up from a main line running through the middle of the plot, which will allow construction of the fence posts to begin in the upcoming days.

The playground equipment’s construction is temporarily on hold as we source for cheaper materials and secure the location for their on-site placement. I’ll certainly continue to post updates as development advances, coinciding with my last few months of Peace Corps service! Thank you again to everyone who had supported me during my time in Kenya, with this project in particular, as well as throughout the entirety of the challenging but rewarding two years.