Water is Precious!

  Water Project Turnover in Ambohitseheno

 This narrative will be a bit chopped up since there are two sets of pictures here.  This first set is from the Shupes.  Elder Shupe is checking out the shower and toilet in the new building, constructed as part of the water project.  Today the responsibility for maintaining the project was passed to the villagers, after the church, engineers and construction workers had done their part.  It took three months to bring the water in pipes from the source to the holding tank, which were separated by five kilometers.  The villagers were very grateful for the new spots to get their precious water.

Trying out one of the new sets of faucets.

Sr. Shupe was giving a short speech about the water project.  She praised all who had worked together to bring it to life, and thanked the church members all over the world who contributed their funds to make it possible.  Olivia, on the left, is translating for her.  (Olivia is a male name in Madagascar).  I'm listening on a very hard bench.

The villagers gathered in a semicircle to hear the speeches.

Olivia

One of the many speakers

The kids played a game with pebbles during the speeches.

Turning on the tap at another location

                                                                          My turn

                                   Zebu calf; horns just starting to grow, no hump yet.
                                              The black spot on the eye is typical.

Me with my "escort" (see below)

                                           Giving the puppy a drink from the new tap.

Grandmother on the left.

Her granddaughter on the right.  These girls served the food for the big lunch we ate after the ceremony.

He wasn't sure about getting his picture taken.

                                        The lunch crowd, including servers, after we ate.

He's in a better mood with the banana. Behind his head I'm holding the bottle of local honey they gave us.

                                       This is the second set of pictures; I took these.

Bishop Roger and Elder Shupe were the church officials, and Olivia (in the blue vest) was the translator.

This gentleman was a retired French teacher who also spoke some English.  He kindly escorted me around over the ruts and slopes so I wouldn't fall. 

                                                The high school beyond the crowd.

                                                                    Shy students

                                                             Lots of crowd scenes.

This was my escort, holding a photo of him given by the Shupes.  The hand in the foreground is about to clap!

                                          A handful watching from across the trench.

 Trying out the new tap--it works!

Another chicken picture.  This one has a plastic bag attached to her leg, the better to catch her, I guess!

Such lovely surroundings  

                                                The zebu calf with the valley behind

                                                             A convenient stream

Breaking ground to plant

The puppy again

                                        Looking down the main road toward the village

                                              Sr. Shupe showing the girls their photo

                                                       Another view of the village

                                     On the way back.  The rice paddies are so green!

Cool way to display jeans

Sr. Florine and Sr. Richards were twins today