POTABLE WATER FOR THE RURAL POOR!

It was neither a new nor a bright idea that burgeoned from nowhere; and if an analogy should aptly be made, it can be compared to a slowly-dying ember that the lion tamer decided to rekindle so that it may again relight its cinders and used sometime later, only, the subject of this article is not fire but water. And the precious liquid that she endeavors to engender can readily satisfy the water needs of several hundreds of residents of three different places. But let the aging lion narrate to you this unique tale right from the very beginning.

Some two years ago when the harelip assistance project was already in full swing, the lion tamer’s aging pet noticed that in addition to Harelip Repair, the calling card of Darin and Farrah Goertzen of Christian Service International shows that they also engage in the assistance of “Waterworks Projects” of rural residents. Thus, seeing the prospects of being of further service to her town-mates, the lion tamer approached a lady official of the town and explored the opportunity of providing water where these are needed. Consequently the latter said there is a baranggay that can benefit from the sponsoring entity as their source of potable water is a reservoir that is located at the upper portion of the community. She said that if a pipe is installed from the water source to the center of the community and faucets are provided in strategic places, then the “Jack and Jill” nursery rhyme that one sings during their school days will easily be a thing of the past. The rational option then was to prepare a request that is duly supported by a bill of materials complete with its estimated cost so that it may be presented to Darin Goertzen for review and consideration.

But local culture prevented the submission of the written proposal to the sponsoring organization. The proponents who made the written proposal, adept at preparing bloated cost estimates, assumed it should be no different from a budgeted public expenditure and therefore should be no less than double its estimated cost that can deflate the ego of the nation’s congressmen and senators. The cost of cement, deformed steel bars and gravel, among others, were outrageously overpriced even an ordinary laborer will notice the glaring attempt to fleece the donors of their moneys’ worth. The aging lion and his tamer therefore, ruefully shelved the idea, for if pursued, can only tarnish the good image that they had been patiently cultivating with the sponsoring charitable organization.

But some two months ago, while on her visit to another baranggay called Bulawan attending to another project in her capacity as vice president of the town’s ladies organization, she saw an inoperable water pump by the ridge that is adjacent to a ricefield of a hinterland baranggay and casually she inquired from a resident how come it was left untended for the use of the residents. The classic reply that she got was “lack of funds” of their baranggay. Remembering Darin’s calling card, she called him if that offer of assistance is still open and the reply that she got was “Yes.”.

Darin and the lion tamer then arranged for a meeting with a baranggay “kagawad” and the possibility for the rehabilitation of the jet pump operated deep-well was discussed. It turned out the job was not difficult. Presently, water about the size of a thumb freely ooze from the connecting pipe because it is still the rainy season that residents can still use, although water no longer comes out during dry-spell months. By installing a brand new jet pump as replacement and also by constructing a shade, it can easily benefit more than forty families that comprise some two hundred residents including children. It was agreed therefore that the cost of the jet pump and its appurtenances will be shouldered by Darin’s group while nipa thatches, sand, gravel and labor will be provided for by the baranggay. The residents also must clean the place. All these happened while the aging lion silently watched in the sidelines.

It turned out there is another inoperable deep well the water of which was also previously being extracted through the use of another jet pump at the upper portion of the baranggay and so was also inspected for possible rehabilitation. Unlike the first deep well, however, the water is about a meter below ground level and will need thorough cleaning before clean water may be pumped from the source. An arrangement with another kagawad therefore arranged to have the well cleaned before the materials are delivered by Darin Goertzen. The aging lion consequently was tasked to inspect the deep well to personally see to it that it was indeed cleaned of debris before the needed jet pump and its accessories are delivered .

On their way home, Darin also asked what happened to the proposed water project that the lion tamer asked some two years before and so the latter narrated to her what happened to his amusement. Needing but pipes and related materials, the work is not really difficult but the resultant effect will be inestimable. He assured both the lion tamer and her pet that attempts by intended recipients for petty thievery are not at all unusual but that we should not worry.. He said he automatically reviews the proposal anyway and gives only what is needed for the project adding that in most instances, he personally provides the actual materials thus eliminating the possibility of graft occurring on the project.

By Saturday December 2, Darin brought with him from Tagbilaran a brand new jet pump and was immediately installed gushing out clear and potable water. He also ordered at a local hardware that the needed cement, pipes and other materials and had these sent to the site so that the shed may be constructed. Darin also reported that the he has already arranged that the pipes and materials for the waterways at the Guinacut project is already scheduled for delivery the coming week. The materials for the second deep well, however, was held in abeyance as the baranggay councilor has not yet sent word that the site is already ready for the aging lion’s visual inspection.

Which makes the aging lion glad. He feels confident that all the three projects can benefit no less than five hundred persons and will be completed before the year is over considering their amiable relationship with Darin Goertzen of Christian Service International. With practically no funds to work on but with cordial and amiable relationship with the donors he and the lion tamer are able, like that American brother who reported at the Internet the successful installation of a water project that cost his group US$ 265 somewhere in Nueva Ecija some eight months or so before, helping these less privileged people is a pleasure worth more than its pecuniary value in gold..

And the aging lion yawns!