In Dec. 2019, several of our members traveled to The Gambia for one month to begin the most technically challenging project our chapter has ever attempted. We are proud of the work they were able to accomplish, and are excited to continue working in Njua!
The travel team was in The Gambia for three weeks. These are their stories:
Dec. 14-18
On the 14th, Dante, Andrew, Lily, and arrived in Banjul to complete the construction contract and finish preparations for the installation. The travel team came to full strength several days later when Maggie and Jared arrived in Banjul. On the 18th, the team received cultural training and basic education of the language.
Dec. 19-22
On the 19th, the team visited the community of Njua and took part in a naming ceremony. Andrew received the name “Keba”, Maggie is “Fatou”, Jared is “Ibbou”, Lily is “Batour”, Dante is “Omar”, and Roger is “Chief”. They visited the families and homes of their namesakes, and were invited to be judges for a tree growing competition at a local school.
Project construction began and solar panels were erected. On Dec. 22, the bore hole was drilled. The fence, which was last year’s implementation project, was evaluated and a maintenance plan was put in place to fix any problems.
Dec. 23-29
Even over the holiday, our team and the community members were hard at work. On Christmas, the team had the privilege of meeting Alcola, the chief of Njua. The bore hole drilling continued with improved equipment, and plans for a temporary stand to house the tap system. A permanent stand will be built during our next implementation trip! The EWBers persevered through uncomfortably hot weather, strange dreams, and a lack of clean clothes.
Dec. 30-Jan. 3
Mechanical malfunctions and drill bit problems continued to delay the bore hole drilling, but the final hole was measured at 42.15 meters deep. The solar panels, constructed just several days before, were put to use to power a pump and bring the first drops of water to the collection tank. After the installation of tap plumbing and the control box electrical systems, the community gained access to clean water!
The community talked with our team about a maintenance plan and responsibilities.
Everyone was finally able to do laundry and explore different parts of the community, including the government garden spaces. Mapping of the community garden was finished as the group prepared to return to Banjul.
Jan. 4
The irrigation system was completed by connecting the electrical system and cementing the tap stands, and a maintenance officer from the community was trained to operate the system. Testing resumed including a late-night trip to water the garden in order to cycle new water into the tank (which meant emptying over 3000 L). The team was able to meet with a teacher of the Njau school as well as the oldest woman in the village to detail more of Njau’s history to include in the Wikipedia page. They were also able to take a survey of many of the woman who use the irrigation system.
For the last few days in Njua, the EWBers decorated themselves with henna, watched local soccer games, and celebrated by dancing with the village members in a three hour long drumming session. After enduring a six hour long drive from Njua to Banjul, the group was able to relax on a the beach and decompress. Everyone flew out of Banjul on the 6th and safely made it back to the states with great pictures and memories to share!
Engineers Without Borders-USA 