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U3A is a movement of retired and semi-retired people who come together to continue their educational, social and creative interests in a friendly and informal environment.
www.u3asite.org.uk/kingsbridgeestuary
News from Kingsbridge Estuary Written by Glenn Wilkins UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE Ladies from different eras and backgrounds with inspiring stories
THE DAM LADIES June Stapley and Angela Seal
have been friends since school days and have lived more or less parallel lives, but 2016 saw one of their greatest adventures, which they wanted to share with U3A. They went off to Kenya where they got involved with an expedition to help build a sand dam. They flew to Nairobi and then travelled a scary drive along the Nairobi-Mom- basa road. The compound in which they stayed was basically a garage with an eating room, an area where they were given a small jug of warm water in which to wash, and a simple bed. Two watchmen with bows and arrows guarded the unit. They were well looked after by two ladies who cooked for them. Fresh fruit and vegetables were brought in from the surrounding area although the main diet was maize and beans. Angela’s daughter, Emma, had
graduated with a degree in Interna- tional Relations and wanted to make a positive contribution to the world so she looked for a small organisa- tion that empowered people to help themselves. ‘Excellent Development’ is a UK and IOM registered charity that supports some of the world’s poorest people to transform their own lives. Communities who need to harvest water request help and this is offered to get funding and the exper- tise needed to build a dam which the community then owns and manages water distribution thereafter. The benefits are that there is no walking many miles each day to collect water, being able to grow their own vege- tation and the clean water improves their health. Wildlife also benefits
in such close proximity, the women have time on their hands for farming making such a difference to their lives. The community the pair joined had
June Stapley and Angel Seal
from the dams. As the women are the water carriers it became their job to construct the dams. As a result they are regarded by the men folk quite differently and gain huge self-respect from it.
One lad had to walk one and a half hours before school each day taking a 20-litre pan supported by rope wrapped around his head. Over time a dent had appeared in his head where the knot had become implanted. The process begins by carefully establishing where the dam is to be built so that it will not be washed away. A bedrock is therefore needed and as much as possible is used from the river itself e.g. the sand is taken from the floor of the river and the rocks are taken from around the sides and floor. Everything is done by hand and everyone takes part in the build. 97% of the water goes over the dam and 1 to 3% is retained in the sand, the latter acting as a sponge. Very little maintenance costs are incurred as it is all done by hand. Once the dam is built it is so for life. Protocols and dossiers have been prepared to enable the acquired knowledge to be shared with others. With water now
the trench already built to receive the cement. The bags of cement weighed 50 kilos and needed three wheel- barrows of sand for the mix. It was all well managed and they soon got into the rhythm of everything. Work could only be maintained for short periods as it was so hot. Donkeys were deployed to fetch water. The whole process had to be conducted quickly. Tea break apparently wasn’t just one cup, it was a whole pot, although it was not wise to have too many as the latrines were not the place to spend a lot of time! Hygiene was very important and latrines had to be used to encourage the washing of hands amongst the community. Our U3A members were offered the opportunity to attempt to lift one of the water carrying cans full of water just to understand what weight was involved. Questions were varied and deep
searching, reflecting the interest members had shown on this informa- tive talk.
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