Day 4 – Visit to Rural Community and School

Together with JESE staff, we travelled on some rough/dusty roads for about an hour before arriving at a small rural community, called Mwarro Village.  It was home to about 45 houses/300 people.  We spent about 2½ hours with several community members of all ages and were able to have a very good visit. 

Front seat view travelling to Mwarro Village

We first visited a new shallow well funded by WaterCan which is currently under construction.  The old water supply was not suitable for drinking water – only wash water (thus they had to travel quite far to get their drinking water).   By talking with one of the JESE staff, I learned the new well (suitable for drinking) cost about $3,000 (Canadian $) to construct, not including the labour and materials supplied by the community members.  Note that before any well (or latrine) is constructed, a process is followed to confirm the needs of the community, their desire to participate during construction and their ability to operate it in the long-term.

Original Water Supply (shallow spring)

New shallow well, just up-hill from original water supply

At new well site (JESE, WaterCan Study Group and members of the Community)

Next, the community showed us some of their homes/properties.  In summary, they are very poor and have next to nothing.  One of the girls explained that her job each day is to get the water (5 yellow gerry cans) for her family of four. One of the boys (about 14 years old) asked me if I could give him a new bike.  A man asked the group if we could pay for a new metal roof.  As you can imagine, this experience of seeing people live with only basic supplies is something I will never forget.  Just before leaving, one of the community leaders gave the WaterCan study tour group a basket of eggs and several large stocks of sugarcane to show their appreciation. 

Two boys watching intently

small house with proper dish washing set-up

Girl who gets water each day

WaterCan Study group along with some community members

 

After leaving this community, we travelled a short distance up the road to the Rwanukoora Primary School.  This school was bigger and more sophisticated than the previous school we visited (on Day 2) with about 150 students (my best guess).  When we arrived, the oldest kids (about age 13 +/-) gave a very nice presentation (singing, dancing, speech, etc,).  Once again, I was proud to present the group 5 soccer balls which were well received.  

Warm greeting by the younger children

13 year old boy reading a speech about the new water/wastewater facilities and hydien education program

Loving their new soccer balls

New (female) latrine

Then we visited the new water and wastewater facilities funded by WaterCan.  They consisted of a new latrine and water supply (rainwater collection from school roofs).  

 For the last part of the visit, all the school children gathered together and sang a few songs for us and we also (impromptu) sang ‘O Canada’ for them!  The whole school visit was again quite touching for me and the rest of the group.  It’s hard to describe the feeling one gets when all the school children are so pleased about our visit because we represent the WaterCan funding, which ultimately improves their school experience, their overall health and even their future.

All the children lined up by class, singing for us!!

To close out the day, we finally did some exercise while visiting some caves and an old volcanic crater (beautiful scenery), then made it back to the Ruwenzori View Guest House in time for a homemade dinner.  After some blog writing, I hit the hay!

Sunset while walking along the top of a volcanic crater