We moved in to our new house the day before Christmas Eve. The electrical fundi and the plumbing fundi (the gentleman who does plumbing repairs with cobs of corn) were able to connect the water pump and get it operational. We were so happy to have water at last. We started to decorate with wall hangings and baskets and to invest emotionally in our new home. We got our clothes hung up and our books shelved. We hired a wood fundi to construct a clothes line and we put up curtains. Debbie began to nest big time.
Check out the cool wall hanging.
Then the water supply suddenly ended.
I phoned the Assistant District Water Engineer who did get back to us saying that he would look into the problem and solve it.
Everything is broken here and the infrastructure is a shambles. Tanzanians are languid and unhurried and having tea is a top priority. They seem to know that nothing can be achieved in this life anyway so why bother.
But we are different. We want things to work. We want things to get better and so we strive.
It’s easy for me to promise myself that I will become more laid back but it’s hard for me to follow through after a lifetime of being productive Ambition melts away though like the snows on Mount Kilimanjaro. It must be the heat.
This morning we went to Madam Christina’s house to get her to come with us to the Big Water Potatoes down at the government offices to get to the bottom of the problem. Madam Christina is filling in for Mr. Ndee, our supervisor, who is off on holiday.
Madame Christiana’s sister is down visiting from Arusha and she also came with us to see the Big Water Potatoes. Her English is excellent and she has a very good sense of humour. She told me that spiritually she felt that water would be connected soon and that all these trials were just a part of life. We had tea with them before heading down to the government offices. No point in rushing.
Not surprisingly the Biggest Water Potato wasn’t in his office. His secretary assured us that our water would be connected tomorrow. At the office I spoke to another Water Potato, responsible for Water Accounts, on the phone. He also said we would be connected tomorrow and that he would help.
Our two Burner Hitatchi Living System
Water is rationed in Kibaya but the water bureaucrats, left over from the old days of Afro-Marxism, are not. We should have water on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays. No one can tell us exactly what time during the day it will be turned on. We will get a water bill once a month. A water meter might be installed.
Should I be worried? No way. VSO Tanzania promises its volunteers adequate housing including a reliable water supply--we signed a contract with them guaranteeing this. I trust them even after three months. We know if push comes to shove they will support our need for a water connection. Almost nothing is more important than access to a water supply and without it our placement here is unsustainable.
Squatters don't plug up as much as sit-down toilets.
(knock on wood)
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