This week we've visited 6 different jungle communities which have requested water projects, to assess the possibility of doing simple projects next year - spring protections, well-drilling or rainwater harvesting. Next week we'll be figuring out which of these communities we can work with next year - and how to tell the others they'll have to wait a bit longer!
Monday - we flew in to San Carlos, set up tents, looked at various water sources, met with the community to discuss possible projects. The best view in the whole village was from the latrine!
We were travelling with Alex, a water engineer who's been here 5 years, her son Benjamin (14 months) and Miriam, a nurse.
Tuesday - walked half an hour to Santa Rosa, saw the muddy river where they wash and collect water, and the clean spring which is down a steep hill and they rarely use. Walked 2 hours to Washintsa, got shown a lovely waterfall about 10 minutes away which they thought was perfect for a project - and then found a clean spring close by. Washed in the river as it was getting dark - trying to enjoy the beautiful sunset and not worry about what else might be in the river!
Wednesday - walked half an hour to Caramá, where we were offered chicha by each of the president's 3 wives (chicha is a drink fermented from chewed-and-spat-out yuca, and it's rude to refuse a taste). Walked 3 hours to Iwia, where I had to explain to the community leaders (without a translator) what we were planning to do, as Alex had to go back to Shell. It was a challenge to be talking to the communities without Alex or Alfredo, but good to have that first attempt at it before they leave at Christmas.
Thursday - Ate grubs for breakfast! They were about 3 inches long, fat and juicy. Walked 2 hours to Wisuí including 2 deep river crossings; the whole community had gone hunting and came back with a wild boar. We had a bit more time here and as well as water-project things we spent some time chatting and finding out more about the life there.
Friday - mostly spent waiting for a plane. In the morning we did hygiene and bible teaching with the school, and Miriam had time to pray with some of her patients - the Christians are very pleased to have any encouragement and prayer as they don't have much contact with other believers. Walked half an hour to Chumbi (which has a longer airstrip, so we could get out on a single flight) and arrived uninvited (meaning no food or accomodation) to discover there might not be a plane today after all. Repeated this morning's teaching in the school here, then heard a plane arrive just in time to get us home before the airstrip closes at 6pm (there are no landing lights).
It was inspirational to be travelling with Miriam - she kept up on the walks despite a bad knee, was always ready to get up and work, and if not cheerful about the prospect of an extra day in the jungle, was prepared to do whatever it was God wanted of us there.
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