Day 2- Changed Plans and Changed Hearts

The Sendafa water tank

Last night and this morning we had many of our plans changed on the chlorination project. The local water authority informed us that they would be discontinuing the use of the tank that we had begun building a structure on, and using only the second tank, because it was higher in elevation and could provide water to a larger area. The second tank was about 1/2 a mile from the tank that we had begun work on. So this morning, Kevin and Jordan Sterner and I helped moved 200 cinder blocks from atop the water tank to the ground, load them onto donkey-drawn carts, and unload them at the new tank. It was tough work, considering Sendafa is above 8,000 feet in elevation and something as simple as climbing two flights of stairs can leave you winded. I was glad to have Kevin along, who is twice my size and Jordan, who is following in the steps of his Dad as a hard worker. I never heard Jordan complain one time. Even when we had to haul all 200 blocks back to the top of the new tank.

Laying out the first row of block

Once we laid our first row of block (without mortar) to show the mason what size and shape structure we wanted, the water authority told us that they were concerned about the amount of weight that we be resting on the top of their concrete tank. The tank lid was about 5 inches thick and made of concrete, but their concrete is much more brittle than ours and it appeared that they had only used 3/8 inch re-bar for reinforcement.

We devised a new plan that would allow for seven rows of block, and then the rest of the walls and the roof would be built from eucalyptus poles and corrugated steel. Eucalyptus is a building material that is very prevalent in Ethiopia. Anything that is not built from concrete or blocks seems to be made with it. It grows quickly, like bamboo, but is solid and strong, yet flexible. It is a great product to work with it, and all of us were impressed by the versatility of this new building product.

The Sendafa Market

After lunch, we went to visit the Sendafa market. It is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays. On other days of the week, there are markets in some of the surrounding communities. It was set up much like a flea market, only much dustier, and without tables. All of the produce was spread on blankets or tarps on the ground. Some vendors had booths made from eucalyptus poles from which they could hang things. They sold fresh fruits and vegetables, clothes, scarves, blankets, and shoes. We bought two or three scarves that were just beautiful! It was a nice way to show the people of Sendafa that we were interested in their culture and support them financially.

The shops made possible by our Micro-finance loans

The highlight of the market was when we saw the small row of shops that were opened as a result of the micro-finance loans that our church provides to HIV-inflicted single Mothers. (for more information on this program, click here) I intentionally bought a music CD from one of the ladies. She was very grateful, because she knew we were from Living Word.

Tenagn: HIV+ small business owner

At one point, we purchased to pieces of sugarcane that the local kids love to chew on. It cost 1 Birr (Ethiopian Dollar), which is about 6 cents in American money. We had the boy who was selling it cut it into small pieces for us. After our group had all tried it, my wife gave the two remaining pieces to two small boys. They were so grateful for something that cost us less than 1 cent. It  was heart-wrenching to think of how much we take for granted in America.

My two new buddies

 Those boys held my hands and walked everywhere with me for the rest of the time that I was in the market. (about 45min) They only let go when I told them that I had to leave.
Later that night, when my wife and I thought about those sweet boys, wearing ragged, dusty clothes, looking up at us with innocent big brown eyes and smiling from ear to ear, we both broke into tears and wept.