SPRING CAPTURE CLOSING CEREMONY

On our way to the Spring capture ceremony we encountered these children with their homemade bird cage, constructed of foam cutouts and wire.

Kids with homemade wheel toys.

On our way to the Spring.

Descending into the gully on the path which is lined with sand bags to defend against erosion. These paths can be treacherous, filled with refuse, bamboo stakes in the ground to hold bags in place and assorted discards.

Almost there, the spring visible in the distance.

Adrian and Sue conversing. He is the head of the NGO that did the work, and a counselor in the Stake Presidency that covers the area.

We are always the object of curiosity. The awnings in the background shelter the dignitaries invited to the closing.

View across the Spring enclosure, four of the feeder pipes, and newly planted grass in neat rows in the soil inside the capture wall. Notice glass on the outlet structure and tops of all the walls to prevent children from walking on them.

Sister moon mobbed by the children.

In the fresh water outlet enclosure with the translator whose name, Dieu, means God.

Sister Moon descending the stairs into the water outlet area.

Eight outlets from the free flowing spring. The water is captured in a concrete reservoir, buried above the enclosure and sealed to preserve water purity, then fed through the pipes into the area where the water is collected into bidons, which are five gallon jugs or into buckets.

Moons and Adrien entering the enclosure.

Elder Moon and Adrien.

Sign acknowledging the organizations responsible for the project.

Attendees.

Attendees on the other side.

Onlookers from the surrounding community.

Curious children. Their chatter filled the gully with noise so it was very hard to hear the speeches.

The media reporter interviewing Sister Moon.

The Site Monitor and master of ceremonies on the left, and the PA system.

Russell Mbaya and Adrien one of his counselors and the head of the NGO that designed and oversaw the installation.

These men are assigned to oversee the site maintenance.

President Mbaya addressing the audience. He spoke about the importance of pure water for the body and the living water of the Gospel.

A big little girl with an attitude and big hair extensions.

Getting ready for the libation to dedicate the project. Originally an offering of palm wine was made, but now it is orange pop.

First a mouth full of pop is spewed into the water.

Then a glass is poured out.

The ribbon is cut.

Participants drink from the spring water.

The first woman to fill her bidon.

Then a rush to draw water by the patient observers who have gathered during the ceremony.

The procession of water drawers goes on in an orderly manner, mostly.

This source is heavily used. Rules forbid washing clothes or bodies in the water enclosure. They may do that outside the enclosure if they choose, or at their homes.

This little one joined the crowd.

Everyone carries, old and young, and with child. 

How they carry the open pans without sloshing is a mystery to me. This woman topped hers off with a bucket once she had lifted it onto her head.

Panorama of finished project.

Some enterprising vendors showed up with their goods for sale.

Kids are everywhere.

As we drove out of the community, through the truck window, the casket in the wood worker's yard caught my eye.