Day 7 - The Calm after the Storm

Arriving on site this morning was very much akin to visiting a beach on a beautiful crisp morning following the deadliest of storms. People walked around in calm appreciation of what they had achieved in the darkness the night before. Tasks were slow to be allocated and began gently with everyone clearing up the debris that had accumulated in the courtyard over the previous few days and tidying up the mess that was necessarily created as tools and detritus were tidied the previous evening.

Progress soon picked up though and more preparations were made for the delivery of water to the various locations around the orphanage. Some boys continued to work on the external sinks that were begun the day before and a channel was dug through the concrete to allow a route for the water and drainage in the kitchen. The kitchen was a place we hadn’t really ventured before as it was not particularly hygienic and there was plenty of evidence in terms of looks and smells to reinforce this. The plan was originally to clean the units that were in there but boys could soon be seen carrying out the entire units to be ‘deep cleaned’. Soon there were no units left at all, save for the one in the corner that showed the greatest signs of rat activity. Upon removal about 6 rats ran in every direction. The scene that followed was reminiscent of a scene from a Tom and Jerry cartoon; some squealed, some ran, and some chased them with all sorts of implements intent on destruction. After a few chaotic minutes, with the children looking on and laughing out loud, the rats were no more. Although a little gruesome it was interesting to note that the matron didn’t believe that there was a problem until she saw the photographic evidence; evidence that convinced her that the kitchen units really did need cleaning. A charity called ‘The Foundation for Tomorrow’ have acted as a liaison for us in Tanzania and work closely with the orphanage throughout the year. They have told us that they will provide on-going education to improve the hygiene of the children once we return to England, leaving them with their improved water and sanitation system.

There’s not much to add following the rat incident although it is worth noting that some of the boys were willing to clean thoroughly one of the most disgusting environments they had ever encountered, and with very good grace.

The final act of the day was to lay the final slab of concrete to complete the courtyard. As the day wore on and the rest of the courtyard was being used properly for the first time we all began to appreciate just what a good job everyone had done.