Dinner and a Movie

May 17 2008

It is Saturday and we have started to slow down. Most of our projects are complete. The water continues to run. We have continued to use the drip chlorination system and have been adjusting the rate. All plumbing projects have been completed. We have electricity, power outlets, running water and flush toilets in every room. The leaks in the roof have been repaired. Tom and Paul even built a brick barbeque pit.

I continue to work with the chlorine system. We are finally starting to get residual chlorine in the system. What I have noticed is that since there is no water usage at night, there is a high residual (5 ppm). The level drops off during the day. I need to find if 5 ppm is safe to drink. I will call Vic later and ask his advice.

The team was invited to the Dadanowa Ranch for a Birthday party tonight. Tom and I stayed back and drove the others into town to catch a ride to the party. It is a four-hour 4WD ride in heavy rain. We left the team in Letham and we returned back to Manari.

As we arrived at Manari, I could see we were both thinking the same thing. The site was an absolute mess with tools and trash scattered everywhere. The breezeway looked like a permanent construction site. But it did not take long to get it looking good. Trash was disposed of in the trash pit dug by Paul Maresca. Tools and supplies are now being stored in the refurbished rooms. Even our cook, Zelda, picked up a broom and started sweeping the dirt off the breezeway and cleaning the tables and chairs.

During this time, Zelda told us that her daughter was turning 17 today and wanted to know if her daughter could come out the Manari and stay overnight. We agreed and made arrangements to pick her daughter up at the border (she lives in Brazil). With this in mind, Tom and I decided it was time to have guests at our newly refurbished home.

We went out to get some chicken and invite some guests. We invited everyone we know (all two of them). Jeff and Diane were both glad to join us for dinner and a movie shown on my laptop.

After a few hours, Jim and Mark returned unexpectedly. They did not go to the party because there was not enough room in the truck for everyone. So they pitched in started cleaning. Marc and Tom improved the fire pit so that we could cook chicken easier. Jim continued wiring electrical outlets and bulbs into the building. The pace was gentle and relaxed.

At 1600 it was time to head into town. Zelda and I drove to the border (in Letham) to pick up her daughter. Then we drove into town pick up Diane at the nurse’s quarters. That was followed by a quick stop to get some last minute groceries and we returned to the Manari.

Diane was given a tour of the facility by Stan Brock a few months ago. She could not believe the change in the condition of the site. At the nurse’s quarters, she has to turn a water valve off and on to get her toilet to flush (she usually just dumps a bucket of water in the toilet to flush it), but here in Manari, our toilets are in great shape. The hospital in Letham does not have running water, but we have it in Manari. In Letham, the power to the city is turned off at 0100 hrs. In Manari, we have power at all times.

Jeff Ware showed up soon after we returned to Manari. He has been slowly watching the progression of the project, but was also complementary about the condition of the site after we had cleaned it up. We have three large tables in the breezeway. Seven wooden lounge chairs are situated in the middle with the fire pit on one side and a chessboard between two chairs. On our main table, we placed a ceramic bowl filled with local flowers growing around the site. Our home was looking as good as any home in Letham. Jeff could not believe that we had accomplished as much as we have.

After sunset, we took a moment to sing happy birthday to Zelda’s daughter then sat down for chicken cooked over an open fire, French fries, noodles, watermelon and a bottle of red wine. Our team may have arrived in rustic conditions, but we are now living as good as anyone in the region. More importantly, this facility will now be able to be used by RAM for continuing medical missions.

The evening ended with a movie, Spy Games, on my DVD player. The fact that we can pause for a moment to enjoy an evening such as this proves the success of this team.

Our primary goal was to provide water. We have done this. We are now able to chlorinate the water, but it takes more work than expected. However, we still have chlorination and thus, the water is safe. When we leave, this site will not be perfect; but it will be in great shape and capable of sustaining long-term volunteers and multiple medical projects. This team has done a great job, and at the end of the evening, I find myself filled with pride to work with such individuals.