A major highlight of Day 4 for the Valpo EWB team was a visit to the new kindergarten facility and kitchen at the primary school. Last year, the Valpo Social Action Leadership Team (SALT) raised funds to build the kindergarten and upgrade the kitchen. This year, our team was fortunate to be the first to see the facility completed in person. The 78 kid classroom are taught by a teacher and one assistant and were an absolute joy to see learning in the classroom. In addition, we were fortunate the dispensary, an outpatient clinic, where villagers receive health care. This was an opportunity for our nursing students to learn more about how health services are provided in this area. One of the most important parts of the day was getting water. Since the canal was off, the Valpo EWB Team split up and went to fetch water from the river with the villagers. Little children, youth and adults of all ages carry large 5 gallon buckets (for the kids 1-2 gallon containers). To get water from the river, villagers must climb down a steep river gully to a fast flowing river. On this day, Valpo EWB team members took the opportunity to learn about this first hand, both filling and then carrying water up the steep bank back to the village. It was very hard work and emphasized the importance of the canal for water access. Lots of pictures to see today so please enjoy and ask any questions through the comment section if you desire.
-S
