Second day on Mageta Island

Our second day of water filters on Mageta Island was very similar to the first. We were at the dock by 7:30 again and loaded the supply boat with another 700 filter kits, bucket sets and lids. We got off the ferry at the first stop this time, about a mile closer to our starting point. The shoreline was more gradual at this point for transporting the materials inland, but the distribution site was a few hundred yards further from the landing. 

Josh Shaffer (aka: Mr. Balloon Man) kept the kids entertained! And Ashley did a great job filling in for Josh as well. Once again, she couldn't resist the urge to hold the babies! 

The filter distribution went well, with over 600 distributed to family heads. That represents approximately 4000 additional people who will now have the ability to produce their own clean water. 

I wanted to also clarify a statement made yesterday by the chief over one section of the island. He had said that before SWOK started distributing water filters and training people in their use, 100% of the people were sick routinely with cholera, Typhoid and primarily dysentery, but that number has decreased significantly to 40% just in the short time since filter distribution began. A major achievement will be reached when the infant mortality rate is demonstrated to have come down, although statistics won't be available to demonstrate that for several months. 

One instance really struck me today: when we were finished the water filter distribution late in the afternoon, we had cardboard boxes and dividers left over as trash from the packaging of the water filters.  When Bill Coble indicated that we were done and held up a stack of cardboard sheets, the kids clamored for our "junk" and treated it like treasure. It struck me again how much we have and how much we take for granted. It also showed me how much joy the Kenyan children have in little things, and they were mannerly in competing with the other kids.  I saw no pushing or shoving or taking from others, even though they have so little. We also should learn to find joy in little things.  

We had completed the filter distribution earlier than planned, and the ferry doesn't come till later in the afternoon. The winds also build on the vast lake later in the afternoon, so we decided to arrange an earlier ride on one of the large boats they use for fishing (and for transporting all our buckets and supplies).  We all piled in and had a great ride back in the fresh air, rather than crammed inside the sardine can ferry!