June 2023 was a busy month for Project Sheluka.
Joe returned to Zambia in June and for the first time since June 2019 he was joined by Dr. Jonathan Levy and his students from Miami University (MU). Jonathan wanted the students to participate in sandpoint and pump installations however it is logistically impossible to bring a dozen or so folks to the Matebele Plain where there are no roads or accommodations. Plus, Project Sheluka, now a registered NGO with The Republic of Zambia, is geographically restricted to the Matebele and Mulonga Plains. We developed an excellent compromise: the MU students would bring pump and sandpoint hardware and commission the fabrication for ten pump bodies and install them in Kalabo, a town of about 8,000 on the Barotse Plain. This plan allows MU to cover material, local labor, transportation and lodging costs in a town that is somewhat accessible by a 25 passenger bus.
Female MU students at the gate of the Winter Palace of the Litunga (King) of Bartoseland prior to a meeting with the High Kuta. It is tradition that females wear long skirts, or kitenges, when appearing in this High Court.
The High Kuta (High Court) of the Winter Palace grounds of the Litunga in Limulunga Zambia. The Kuta is an assembly of Cabinet members of the traditional Bartose government.
We were very fortunate to have an audience with the High Kuta. They were very interested in our work. In order to be fully successful Project Sheluka must have the support of the local traditional government.
MU students walk the Lubosi Imwiko II Bridge over the Zambezi River. While we approached the bridge driving from Mongu to Kalabo, Prof. Nyambe pulled the Land Cruiser to the roadside (followed by the 25 passenger bus with the MU students). He said it would be good for the students to walk the bridge to better appreciate the vast Barotse Floodplain. A fine idea as we had a terrific view of the river and the local fishing scene.
The residential area of Kalabo are only accessible by 4x4s or by foot. The students carried well and pump hardware from the Land Cruiser to installation sites.
We paid a visit to the Lubasi family in Kalabo, the site of a proof-of-concept installation in November 2019. Prof. Imasiku Nyambe washes his hands under a Bartose Strong Pump that replaced the original cast iron pump in April 2023.
A MU student uses aa 11 kg slide hammer (25 Lb) to drive the sandpoint and casing. The tip of the sandpoint has a final elevation about 6 meters (19.5’) below the surface.
Local children are always interested in our activities. Note the hand dug well in the foreground. Once a well is dug to the water table it is typically reinforced with a “basket” made from strips of wood.
A traditional had-dug well. The well cannot be dug below the water table (as seen at bottom of the well) as the sand will collapse. Groundwater is traditionally dipped from such wells, which are susceptible to contamination from the surface.
Project Sheluka foreman, John Simasiku, installs a pump to the top of the 1 1/4” casing.
Another completed well and pump.
Residents help move well casing. In this image all components are shown, three 2 meter sections of casing with couplers, the sandpoint and pump.
MU student links a sandpoint to the 1 1/4” casing with a coupler for the first well installation. During installation Prof. Nyambe transported students from one site to the next with the Land Cruiser as there are no paved streets except the highway in Kalabo.
A MU student works a newly installed pump. Note the metal “fins” on the upper piece of casing. This will be buried and it prevents the couplers from being accidentally unscrewed.
Another sandpoint being installed. We planned to install ten wells and pumps but we encountered silt at two sites that had to be abandoned. Eight wells and pumps were installed.
Another sandpoint well and pump completed. Note the pre-existing hand-dug well has been filled in. This new system provides greater quantities of higher-quality water as it is filtered through the sand.
Another sandpoint well and pump completed.
Prof. Nyambe talks with the local leader of the UPND Party, the political party presently ruling the Republic of Zambia. We have demonstrated the effectiveness of the sandpoint and pump system. While Project Sheluka is focused on traditional villages we welcome advising local governments on this system if they wish to bring clean and reliable water to their citizens.
We installed eight sandpoint wells and pumps in less than three days in Kalabo. These wells will provide water to eight extended families, about 100 people. This work could not have been accomplished without the hard work of Dr. Jonathan Levy and his excellent students of Miami University.