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Our May 2000
trip to Panama and the Epera Indian comarca in the Darien Province
(May 14 - 31) was a rewarding and successful trip. The team consisted
of: Loring Green (ex-geologist, retired stockbroker from Tucson);
Craig Woodring (ex-Lifewater staffer, engineer from San Luis Obispo);
Bob Jarrett (engineer from Decatur, GA); and me (Michael Campana).
Loring handled most of the training because of his Spanish abilities.
Our primary purpose was to train an Epera crew on the operation
of a small rotary drilling rig (the LS-100), water well construction,
and hand-pump installation so that they would be able to satisfy
their own water needs as well as those of others. A secondary
objective was to see if the facilities (welding equipment), desire,
and talent existed to set up a small pump-building operation.
Lifewater International encourages those it trains to set up businesses
(drilling, pump repair and building) to earn hard currency.
We
arrived on the comarca on May 17. We had managed to find a source
of bentonite drilling mud in Panama City and had purchased about
1100 pounds for shipment via boat to the comarca. We were fortunate
in that a boat was about ready to leave the next day. All our
equipment - the LS-100, the pumps - had arrived safely on the
comarca. The Ministry of Health in Panama City was instrumental
in getting all this stuff through Customs without any taxes or
duties being levied.
Training
started almost immediately, and by late May 18 the crew of six
that had been selected for us was starting its first well in Puerto
Indio, the main village (c. 400 people) on the comarca. From almost
the beginning, Loring had these fellows doing most of the work,
and they worked hard with an eagerness to learn. The first well
was a good one - the crew hit a nice sand aquifer about 10 feet
thick, and decided that it would provide more than enough flow
for a 0.5 HP electric submersible pump. The crew cut slots in
the casing, installed the casing, developed and chlorinated the
well, and capped it.
After that we
moved the equipment via canoe about seven miles up the Rio Sabalo
to Bayamon. The first well there was not successful; we went through
about 30 feet of shale, not real good for water. At that point
we requested that the village advise us where they wanted the
next well. They held a meeting, and told us that the next well
should go up by the school. We told them that we would have to
have them provide water via bucket brigade from the river - enough
to fill five 55-gallon drums. When we awoke the next morning,
the entire village was out there with their 5-gallon jugs and
whatever else they could find to fill the drums. What an effort!
We were quite impressed! To make a long story short, the crew
drilled a successful well, installed a hand pump and now the village
has safe water. At some point it may be possible to install an
electric pump in that well.
We
had a great time. The rainy season had just started and was not
yet in full swing. The conditions were a bit rough, especially
in Bayamon. We had our fill of plantains and yams. All four of
us got sick to some degree. I awoke on May 25 with diarrhea, vomiting,
and a fever of almost 104. The fever subsided by the end of the
day, but I was plagued by fatigue, dizziness and "Noriega's
revenge" for the rest of the trip. Some of the Epera also
suffered this same fate. I had been lucky on previous trips to
the tropics - no problems. Actually, this was good for me - as
a friend once told me, whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger,
so perhaps there is one less bug to torment me on my next trip.
We all endured mosquito and colorodilla (chigger-like critters)
bites despite bathing in DEET. One positive side effect - I lost
almost 7 pounds, about a third of what I need to lose, so perhaps
I'll start marketing the Epera Extreme Weight-Loss Program.
What's next?
Lifewater International will see about supporting the development
of a pump shop on the comarca, as welding expertise does exist.
We will also help the Epera with their water distribution system
in Puerto Indio, now that they have a good well, and do the same
in other villlages if they wish us to. I will likely return in
December 2000 - January 2001 to install the submerisble pump and
hook it in to the water system. I hope to get some funding to
take some students down there to do some hydrology, planning,
community development, etc., all with the consent of the Epera.
I expect to be going down there periodically over the next few
years.
We wish
to thank the private donors and the Ministry of Health, Republic of Panama, who made
our efforts possible. They were all very much a part of the team.
If you would like to make a tax-free donation to support this work, please send a check made out to Lifewater International to: Lifewater International, P.O. Box 3131, San Luis Obispo, CA 93403. Please specify "Panama Project" on the check. Thank you!
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