I guess from an outside perspective, it's difficult to see why woul dpeople NOT like water trucking? It's sexy! It's lifesaving! That's what people like to see on TV. But it's not sustainable. At the same time, you have to keep that in mind that if I don't do anything, people are going to die. However, in Somaliland, where there is recurrent drought and there isn't rain anywhere: the need and requests were just overwhelming.
Now that it's over and the rains have come though, I won't bore you with the tears and frustration water trucking naturally brings just because it exists, but we should focus on the positive parts of it. So, 1. thanks Ed Nash for taking all of these pictures of water trucking! Below, there are 4 trucks that have started pumping, along with us and lots of commotion (we tend to bring commotion wherever we go).
From the water trucks, the water is pumped into a berkad (a huge water reservoir where everyone gets water from the rain, as you can see below.
And of course I have to look semi-official :). Although I think I look more upset. But hey, that's apparently what I look like nowadays...
Surprisingly water trucking has gone well. Not too many fights or diasasters. All have had the ability to
be controlled, which is a miracle in and of itself. I think it's through providing when the need is so great that does something to you. To your heart and shakes your soul. Even though we were able to respond, you still wonder whether or not you have made the right decision. I wonder what will happen to these kids that I see in 3 or 4 years.
Or...maybe I'm just thinking too much. I am nearing the end of my contract....Those moments always cause me to be more reflective. I have started to tell people I'm leaving...and it's never easy. Although this past week I've tended to end my conversations, with "oh, by the way, I'm leaving soon". I've left many a country programme now after X months/years and I think I'm happy to report that it's not easy. I think it would be more difficult for me to accept if was wherever I was for a period of time and didn't care about the people or the place. Maybe it's a sign that you DID give everything you had while you were here...just maybe. The idea of going home is actually frightening to me...especially when you only go home for 2 to 3 weeks at a time for 2 1/2 years. It's strange that I'm as nervous going home as most people would be about starting a job in a foreign country. But I think it's times like theis that I can learn a lesson from the very subject I manage.
Water is fluid. If you watch it, when it flows, it goes around all of the cracks and seeps into the places where nothing solid could ever get through. It can become steam, ice, and regular water. It is the source of life.
Essentially, it adapts to whatever it needs to be. In my last weeks here and in what is to come, I want to be like water. "Wherever you are, be all there (especially in your last weeks)" I forget who said that: but I added the little amendment (if you couldn't tell). Since I have time for one more post before I leave, I'll save the sappy stuff for later.
Happy day all,
Patty
