This morning we started working on the cistern / reservoir. I sure was hoping that we would not have any building project this trip but here we are building again! We always say that when “Plan A” fails we will move on to “Plan B”; well, where these reservoirs are concerned we would have to say that we are moving on to “Plan C, D, or F”. The tree roots are still getting into the reservoir. Last year when we had to have the septic tank cleaned out we noticed that there were no tree roots in it. Upon future investigation we noticed that the walls of the septic tank had been pour; they were not made of cement blocks like the reservoirs are made. After a great deal of thought we decided that we would have a put a new wall inside the reservoir that was poured. We also decided that we would add rebar structures as they pour the walls. Dawda the mason came this morning to tell us what supplies we needed. He brought a couple guys with him that will make the rebar reinforcement forms. The reservoir was originally going to be the septic tank but Dad decided to make a new septic tank and changed this one to a reservoir. There are actually 3 rooms underground. They are huge; you can stand up and walk around in them. At some point the access hole to the middle section was cemented over. The first order of business today was to open the access hole. It took 5 men almost 2 hours to break up the concrete.
Red brought a crew and his tipper truck to the house this morning and went to the back of the property and loaded the river gravel into the truck and brought it up to the house. Four men hand loaded 2 dump trucks of gravel; they were exhausted when they got finished. The men are lucky on this job because the mango trees are loaded with fruit. Everyone filled their stomach with mangos.
This afternoon Steve and I went out and started buying the cement and other things that are going to be needed for the job. Some of the men will be back tomorrow. Nazo was not here to help today because today is Ghana Independence day; it is a public holiday so Nazo had the day off. He will be back tomorrow.
Steve and I hauled the 4ft x 4ft water containers up to the house and the water tanker came this afternoon and filled them. Water is scarce right now because we are nearing the end of the dry season; the water containers are filled with muddy river water but cement does not care if the water is clean or dirty.
Thank you for all you do for us and for the work. We appreciate all your help.
In His Service,
Steve and Kandie
