3 volunteers. 3 water tank stands. 2 weeks.

Tina and a child outside Mkwiro primary school 

Its weird looking back to the first day when Tegan, a lovely Australian, Andy, an English engineer, Shaffi, the local builder man and I stood around looking at the jagged coral rag that made up the area we had to build a stand for a 5000 litre water tank. The sun was hot on our shoulders as we stood scratching our heads, where do we start?

And yet, two weeks, 40 buckets of sand, 250 litres of water, 5 bags of cement, 3 1000 litre water tanks, 22 coral bricks, and a sprinkling of blood, blisters and sweat later we have three beautiful water tanks in place on strong concrete stands ready to catch rain.

Tom and Shaffi (the local builder man)

It wasn’t easy. Sure there were days when all I wanted to do was sit in the hammock and sleep, and sure, there were days when all I did was sit in the hammock and sleep, but seeing the stands ready to harvest rainwater makes all that exhaustion worthwhile. From being a walking talking climbing frame to the village kids to watching with satisfaction as the last of the cement was smoothed out, being part of the construction team was satisfying and reinforced the importance of the most basic of human rights: safe drinking water.

A Mkwiro family. These tanks could ensure this family has clean drinking water, and the children  have a  healthier upbringing.

So next time you turn on the tap, think of our the taps on our water tanks, and smile. I will be.

Tina Thorburn- Winner of the GVI You Are The Difference competition for a round the world trip  

3 volunteers. 3 water tank stands. 2 weeks.