Our Readers Respond to Our Water Crisis

This little guy sat on the edge of our rainwater bucket waiting to put in his two cents worth

In a previous post I asked for readers suggestions to help solve our water problem.  It has now been two weeks since we have received a water delivery.  As they say in the US military, things are rapidly moving from TARFU to FUBAR.  We are way beyond SNAFU now.

Ideas have been coming in from near and far.  Thanks to all of you who took the time to email us on this issue.  Keep your suggestions coming in.  We need all the help we can get.  Here are several of your suggestions and my responses.

•       George Washington (the face on the USD) is the king of the world.  You are rich, white outsiders in a very poor country.  Start giving gifts.  Start spreading around the happiness because money works to get a job done.  You are a long way away for my garden hose to reach.

Bribery is one way to go.  No question, Tanzania is one of the most corrupt countries on earth.  I am worried though about where it will end if I start passing out the Green Backs.  Kibaya is a very small village.  It is isolated and everyone knows us or at least knows of us.  If I start down Bribery Road it will be a bit like giving my chocolate pudding to Bubba at dinner in The Joint.  Where will it end?  It’s not only that, there is something slightly obscene about paying to work.

I asked Mr. Ndee about the possibilty of this solution.  He said definitely not.  Bribery is out of the question and people go to prison for it.  

•       Threaten to leave the project and return home.  You should not have to put up with this.  You need a reliable source of water.  Get more aggressive.  State if the situation doesn't change immediately it is 'bye-bye.'

This is certainly one option.  I cannot tell you how lucky we are to possess that most wonderful of all documents, the Canadian passport.  At any time we can hop on a bus to the nearest airport, throw down the VISA card and be outta here.  The ability to do this is a real comfort.  A wise man told me years ago when we first started to work in the developing world, 'Peter,' he said, 'whenever you work in the third world have enough FU money.' 

The main problem with this suggestion is that if we say bye-bye then we won't find out how things would have turned out. Sometimes it's interesting to ride it all the way down just to see how it plays out.  We also want to bring all of our projects to fruition.  In spite of our water difficulties the work is going very well.

•        Examine the logistics of the water route to your house.  Then search for a way to open the water valve without involving the water authorities.

Thank you James Bond.  Would you like that martini stirred or shaken?

•       Offer the water authorities something that is important to them or their kids, something to make them feel 'special'.  Offer free English lessons to their kids in return for water.  Perhaps have a feast for them after your water is turned on.

This may work.  I'm not sure how positive and up-beat I could be during the lessons though.  I could play hangman with the children using words like, corruption, bribery, theft, stealing and daddy.  I could serve humble pie at the feast. 

On a very positive note, it rained last night and we collected 25 litres.  Laissez les bons temps rouler.