School outing

An outing nearby for the senior class Helen thought would be easy to organise and finance. She knew our hospital hydro-electric scheme would be interesting and relevant; and also a project where citronella perfume is distilled from the plant grown to prevent hillside erosion.

So Helen partook in meetings with staff x 3, headmistress x 2, manager of the project x 1, details submitted in writing, a personal reminder on day of outing…..but sadly the 40 children were still standing under a tree an hour after leaving time! However, Dave was available, and ran around chasing drivers, mechanics, extra vehicles x 2 and additional funds. We finally set off in high spirits at 3.30 pm, complete with crates of sodas. On days like this we wish we had an African sense of time instead of getting frustrated.

In the end the visits went well, and no one got hurt. Risk of injury was considerable, as inspecting the dam involved clambering slippery surfaces on a 3-meter dam wall, and balancing along a pipe 2 meters above a roaring stream. Thank God!