After taking backroads and alleys in an area of Kinshasa, our driver Bombyck took us to the location of a well, pump and water station approved in 2006. This was discouraging because the well was not functioning and some parts of the distribution system had been stripped. The well was designed to use solar power. The solar power failed. The contractor brought in a diesel generator and left diesel to power the generator. The water committee did not collect sufficient money to keep the generator operating. This is a valuable lesson because the water committee must be well trained and invested in keeping clean water flowing. Usually, the best tactic is to have women on the committee. One of those women should collect and hold the money. The bright spot is that electrical power is now only .3 of a kilometer away. The well should be hooked up in the next two to three months maybe ( maybe is always added to time in the Congo because nothing ever happens on time.) We will make appointments with the Chief of the area and begin the process of training the water committe so that this community that has limited unhealthy water can have clean water ( the target is 10 liters per person per day).
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