Flowing Water

When we arrived in Dodoma and finally received the container of pumps and spare parts, Ed immediately began to network with the 3 area water districts. His pitch was: show me the villages, the wells, and the pumps and we can get them fixed and get water to your villages. The response he received was disheartening as the "officials" wanted Ed to pad their pockets for them to show him these work sites. One particular brazen official wanted him to pay the equivalent of $150. Ed got mad and walked out of the office.

Then we made contact with a couple of pastors who were excited to show him some places that needed help. Of course, the actual village officials were thrilled to get the help. All we needed was a introduction into the village from the pastors instead of the water district representatives. After putting on 2 pumps, the excitement began to build. Eventually, one particular job required a return visit to the office from which Ed made his earlier exit to get specs on the well. They welcomed him with open arms and have now assigned a man (who, by the way, Ed really liked from the start) to work with him and identify and do pump repair and installation. His name is Willie and he is passionate about getting water to these people.

So, for several weeks, now, we have traveled with Willie to villages in the Dodoma area doing just what we came to Dodoma to do.