We arrived safely in Garcin around 7:30 Monday night. We would have been earlier, but we stayed until the last flight of the day from Miami arrived at the airport. We were rewarded with the three of four missing pieces of checked luggage. Hopefully the last pieces will still show up.
When we arrived at our apartment we were pleased that the batteries were charged up so that we had lights. Our water tanks were dry, I think that the water was used up watering the container gardens on our roof.
Tuesday morning Johnny and I installed the solar panels on the roof. Unlike previous trips, everything went smoothly and our system is functioning normaly. The water is a different story. The spring capture above the village is leaking and does not collect enough water to fill the reservoir. The only way to fill our tanks is to close off the water to the village long enough to fill the reservoir. Then we can open the valve to our tanks and fill them.
There is an organization called OXFAM that is planning on rebuilding the spring capture. They plan on charging for water to fund the project. We had to agree in order to be tied into the system when it is complete. That is not a problem for us, but we have observed that this system does not generaly work with the peasants. What most likely what will happen is that people will tap into the piping wherever it is exposed, usually destroying the whole system. We shall see.
Tuesday is also the day there is clinic here in Garcin. This Tuesday, a women came with a very high fever, over 105. Denise and Cecile took her and her family to the hospital in Gros Morne. There, the doctor wanted exrays taken but their exray machine was not functioning. So, Denise and Cecile drove her to the hospital in Gonaive, an hour further.
There whe was exrayed and they brought her back to Gros Morne. When the doctor took the exrays from the envelope, there were only two of the three needed. Denise told them she could not drive her back, so arrangements were made to have her transported by taxi. It was almost 7:00 by the time Denise and Cecile arived back home. There is much more to this story. I am sure that either Denise or Cecile will elaborate.