MOKEN VILLAGE WATER WELLS

The kids with Phillip help to bring all Gary’s equipment to the village

Friday 2/13/15

Gary and George went to the village by bike, walking, and raft.

Well #1-is used for washing in the center of the village.  Fortunately Philip had the well cleaned by people climbing down the well and removing the debris.  He also purchased a new cover, as the well was open before and children were throwing objects into the well, thus easily contaminating it.  This well is about 1 meter in diameter and about 4-5 meters deep.  It has a bicycle for pumping the water into storage tanks.  We inserted a sump pump into the well to mix the Terra Clear (nano colloidal silver).  We were successful cleaning the well, storage tanks and pipes.  Phillip was very please as were the villages !!!!

This was now they were collecting their drinking water before Gary installed the new hand pump

Local villagers learning about the importance of clean wells and water; with Phillip translating for Gary

Saturday 2/14/15

Well #2- located in the jungle behind the village and is the only used for drinking water.  It is similar in diameter and depth as well #1.

History:  well had no cover and people got their water by lowering a plastic bucket on a rope.   This is an old system and easily contaminates the well as the bucket and rope are put on the ground continuously and this induces bacteria into the well each time it is lowered into the well water.

Phillip purchased a new cover.  AFV added a new hand pump and cleaned the well. The pump was not attached to the cover as it is not sufficiently strong.  It was attached to hard wood boards and they were tied to the cover.  The villagers are fisherman so this is a good system.  The well is accessible for future cleaning and the pump is secure, yet removable.  The villagers with the supervision of Phillip will add a concrete slab around the well to improve sanitation.

We will return to the wells in the rainy season to inspect, test and clean again.    We instructed Phillip on how to clean the well and left supplies with him so he can monitor and clean the wells until we return.

The villagers were very happy.  They had many laughs on learning how to use a hand pump.

Gary and Phillip sealing the well to avoid contamination in the future

Classroom Chaos with the kids making cards

All for villages has initiated an after school program where the kids make beautiful hand-made cards for sale across the island

The children are a mix of Thai, Moken Sea Gypsy and Burmese.  We believe no matter what culture or race, all children deserve the opportunity to an education to improve their lives and provide possible employment opportunities in the future.

For further education they are required to travel to Ranong where they will either board or stay with extended family.  We currently have two volunteers teaching English and Art at school 5 days per week.

Through our small art project, the children are creating beautiful hand made cards for sale for 30 Baht.  All money raised is divided equally between the children and given to them at the end of each month.

The children feel empowered, they do the work and are given their monetary reward, which interestingly enough, they have all chosen to save.

We would like to also acknowledge the overwhelming support from Jessica Waters from Ban Nam Chaa Cafe, Nara and his family from Nara Bar & My Restarant, Paul & Pearl from P P Land and Heaven, Richard from Oscars Bar & Jimmy from Hippy Bar.  All of them promoting and selling cards for our kids.  If you happen to visit Koh Payam please drop by and say hi to these great friends of ours; stay for a drink and enjoy their amazing food !!!!!

The children receiving their first payment for their hand-made cards