Whilst the plinth for the water tanks continues to cure everyone continued to be engaged in smaller, but crucial tasks. Most of the activity was centred around plumbing in the external and kitchen sinks. All these tasks, although relatively simple in principle, presented problem after problem and everyone concerned got extremely frustrated. Pipes leaked, pipes were too long, pipes didn’t fit and crucial pieces were missing. There are no DIY stores in this part of Africa, but every other store is a plumbing store, or a car parts store, or a tool store. However only the last of the 15 or so that we tried this afternoon (with the help of our fantastic bus driver who wouldn’t give up) had any of the parts we needed and even then not all of them. Eventually 3 of the five sinks proved successful, but 2 of them remained stubborn to the last and will have to be dealt with tomorrow.
A couple of boys helped lay an armoured cable to supply electricity to the pump which then allowed us to bury most of the cable and supply pipe. We once again had to use a cable splicing kit to join the cable securely for placement underground and this proved remarkably simple, having learned valuable lessons when we used the same kit at the bottom of the borehole.
The final task of the day was to build the removable concrete slab that was to go on top of the bore hole box. This is essential to deter people from stealing the pump. A last minute decision was taken for everyone to leave their mark by plunging their hands into this newly laid slab along with the words ‘Harrow School 2010’ (Photo to follow tomorrow.)
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