Today was the first full day of the trip. We began the day with a big breakfast and drove out to meet the water truck. They had just finished filling up the 3500 gallon water tanker when we arrived at the privately owned well. We then followed the water truck into the heart of Citi Sole. The first thing you notice is the tightly packed shanti towns and the surrounding rubble left over from the earthquake. Once the truck is stopped and we stepped out, we were surrounded by hundreds of happy children. All shouting "Hey you!....Hey you!" The children with pails began lining up behind the water truck, and the others laughed, giggled and jumped all over us. This was pretty overwhelming and I immediately became very emotional. But how could I be so sad at a moment when the children were so happy to see us? This was just one of the many conflicting and emotional feelings I was to encounter. The majority of the children were not fully clothed and many were naked. We all began helping fill the water pails and carrying them to their "homes." Of the children that did not have pails we quickly learned that they just wanted attention...but mostly, they just wanted to be loved. At every turn they were pleading to be picked up. Once picked up, they just wanted to be held. Internally I wondered if I should hold and hug many children...or focus on 1 special child.
It took about 1/2 hour to distribute all of the 3500 gallons of water and fill up hundreds, if not thousands of buckets. Once emptied, we headed back to the well to fill up and drive to another part of the city.
It was hard work but well worth it! Thank you for all the support!
Trevor D
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