Over the river . . .

On Friday, March 9th, we traveled across the Yangon River to a village where many live because they cannot afford to live in Yangon. LDS charities had financed a water project there several months ago. The water level was too high and good water could not be found, so a fenced pond and pumps were used. There was some additional unused funds so some water filters had been bought to be used in the primary schools.
As we approached the boats --sanpans--that we were to ride on, we watched men carry bags of what we thought was probably rice from the boat to the dock. They were still doing it when we returned several hours later.

These were the smallest boats we've travelled in. At miday it was hot, but on the river it felt cooler.

The houses we saw as we approached the village. These are just across from Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar. The river is salty and rises and falls with the tide so most are built on stilts with a muddy residue underneath when the tide is low.

These are the pumps with the pond in the background. The water is collected during the monsoon season to last until the next one. This pond is fenced to keep animals away from it.

Because the water is not very pure--lots of sediment--and bacteria, it would be ideal if every family could have individual filters, but the cost is higher than LDS Charities projects allows and prohibitive for most families.

The water tested after passing through this clay filter has fewer bacteria than the bottled water we drink. LDS charities provided 58 to the two schools.

Elder Jones and I are looking at the filters in one classroom

We were greeted by school children lined up before we got to the school. Seeing them is the high point for our visit in my opinion. School will be out now until the monsoon season begins. School isn't held during the hot months which will last until mid May or when the rains begin.

As we left the school, the children followed. I turned back to see Dad surrounded by kids. The Pied Piper??

We had rough cement walks through the village--narrow when one woman was holding my arm and another carrying my umbrellas. This boardwalk was built with whatever was available and it was none too stable.

But then we had to find our way to the boat on blocks or mud! Obviously the tide was out!

Sister Jones being helped out to the boats. She has had both knees replaced and keeps saying "if my kids could only see me now!" After another ride across the river, we were back to our air-conditioned apartment and a shower to clean up. Another interesting day.