Category Archives: Diaries

Day 2 – Trinidad – WASA treatment facility

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Feb 18 – WASA treatment facility
 
First real visit out to the Waste and Sewage Authority (WASA). This gave us the first real impression of the water security issues on the island. While talking to the WHO Compliance Officer at WASA, it was noted that a bit more than 50% of the population has access to water 24/7. This was quite staggering to me considering how much water was used during carnival. I suppose Port of Spain would be better suited for receiving water as it is the capital of Trinidad. Further surprises was that the tap water is 100% potable as it follows the WHO guidelines of water. I might attempt my stomach’s fate at the tap water seeing as I wouldn’t want to purchase anymore water.
Back to the WASA facility, the water level in their lake reservoir has dropped an inch since Carnival was running. This is a considerable amount seeing that this was in a southern and more remote part of Trinidad, not Port of Spain. The lessons that was learnt during their most water stressed time allowed them to manage the consumption of water more appropriately by controlling the distribution of water. This is contrary to my expectations before coming in as I thought the consumption rate was poorly manage. This does not seem to be the case as they have foresight to curb the demand so that the reservoir and aquifers still have time to replenish itself. Even if it means the population goes without water sometimes. Though, Trinidad does work on a water tank storage at every household so there is some buffer in case there is no water.

Afterwards, we visited the University of West Indies (UWI) and discussed the issues of tourism taking an impact on agriculture. As tourism increases, food for these tourists must be met and results in more production of agriculture. The catch 22 is that this could further drain the water supply even more. There should be a strategy to increase agricultural production while maintaining water security. This to me is where I’m most excited about aquaponics as a potential solution to help in water and food security. We will see tomorrow after our visit to the aquaponic station. An idea would be to increase food production with aquaponic systems to help with maintaining the water supply with the increase of tourists.
 
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Day 3 – Trinidad – Aquaoponics

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Feb 19 – Day 3 – Aquaponics
 
Finally my most anticipated visit of the trip, the aquaponics facility. Seeing a smaller scale aquaponic system provides a better realistic goal to building one as the previous one I have seen before was in Cape Town and was a large system meant to sustain a restaurant. The most I learnt from this visit is seeing another type of set up and filtering process. This can help solve both food and water security because of the lack of water loss in the whole aquaponic system. This system uses less than 10% of water compared to traditional agriculture. Though, it cannot grow crops like roots and tubulars as they require soil to be grown in and not water or clay media. Regardless, this can help answer some questions of increased agricultural production but with a goal of sustaining water security as the issue was raised from the previous day.
Afterwards we went to the UWI farm field and did a quick tour seeing how the farm is irrigated from the wells they had dug. They did not consider the impacts of pesticides and herbicides on the soil absorption into the aquifers. Eventually the pollution will filter into the aquifers and pollute their own supply of drinking water. This reinforced my speculation of agricultural run offs from the first post with the potential of chemicals seeping into the groundwater supply. Very surprising that they would not consider this issue as a challenge to sustainable water security. Other investors are also coming into “develop” this farm including the Chinese. Assumptions with a reciprocal deal on return on investment will occur. In hindsight, because they are funded to do research and their goal is monetary gain, they will receive money to do any research including ones that are detrimental to the soil and groundwater and not taking in the cost of externalities.
Going back to UWI. Discussion of water security. Not a lot of focus on the topic of mangroves as of yet. Discussion of coastal regions and rising salt water levels in the aquifers still need to be addressed for my group project. Having exchanged contacts with the professors at UWI will hopefully provide more insight.
 

Day 4 – Tobago – Department of Natrual Resources

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Feb 20 – Day 4 – Tobago Department of Natural Resources
At the Botanical Gardens with the Department of Natural Resources, Forestry management sector, it seems the presentation should’ve been done on the first day of breaking down the issues of water security and how it affects different sectors and key players. The presentation addressed many key issues surrounding water security including climate change, which is a focus of my groups research project. However, there was not much information about lowering water in aquifers and more salination in the groundwater or the effects of the removal of mangroves. They said it wasn’t much of a pressing issue at the moment so it seems there was not much focus regarding it.
An introduction to water management that I have not considered was the metered water, which will help with the management of water supply because the individuals and household will decrease usage as they see their bill for the water. But it cannot happen too quickly as people will revolt and needs a gradual implementation. This could play into an integral part of management of the water supply once it is implemented as more conscious water conservation measures will be taken by the household.
Dams Reservoir

Then, together, we took a trip to WASA, Hillsborough dam. There was an interesting conversation between WASA and forestry management regarding the sludge from the dam as its just dumped. That pollution will seep into the aquifers. It felt very corporate with a lot of public relations to try and boost their campaign of water. They didn’t have a straight answer of “no” but instead lots of ideas that have already been thought of to continue increasing supply. A lot of the information had been supplied by the Navet dam. Though the new information, such as the detailed WHO guidelines, a more in depth look at the treatment of the water, the filling of the reservoir, cleaning the dam, operating the dam, and other supply of water other than the dam were topics that were not addressed at Navet.

Control valves

In line with Navet dam, the  discussion of the management of water during stressed times was elaborated. They start controlling the water supply during dry season as the water reservoir depletes so there is a schedule to store water into the reservoirs at home. Once those reservoirs are filled, it is up to the individuals to manage their own water. As the water reservoir depletes more at WASA, there will be more strict management of water as they can control the valves that feed into the neighbourhood. This kind of control allows the aquifers and lakes to be replenished, instead of having it drained completely, which will not be sustainable.

Asphalt Quarry

An observation made on the way up the hill, there was an asphalt quarry. The river upstream was nice and clean with a WASA treatment plant to help treat and distribute the water. Just downstream was the asphalt quarry and from there is just polluted water which does not get cleaned or treated. WASA does not want to clean the water downstream because it cost too much to clean that water. There needs to have policies onto those kind of industries to keep the water clean and make the companies pay.

This introduces economics that have been overlooked the whole trip, aside from a brief discussion of government subsidies and the serviced population paying.To fund the cleaning of the water, someone needs to pay. A Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) could be implemented. Simon Davids from the Forestry management said that the U.S has PES implemented and it is beneficial because polluters pay.
Another observation made as we travelled through central Tobago, we were pointed out more results of the agriculture degradation. We  saw the burning which degrades vegetation and negatively impacts the infiltration of water into the soil and produces more runoff and less replenishment of the groundwater supply. This was pointed out by the forestry management.
 
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Feb 23 – Post trip reflection

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Feb 23 – Post trip reflection
The post trip reflection journal. Overall, this trip has been a fantastic understanding of what water issue is like looking at other countries other than Canada. It helped put in perspective the economic, governance and management of water security. The biggest takeaway has been the agricultural use of water. First at UWI’s research field and the seemingly absolute neglect put toward protecting it’s local groundwater supply from chemical seepage is inconceivable, especially coming from a university. Secondly from driving from the southern part of Tobago to the northern part, seeing all the slashing and burning. Though out of the control of the forestry management, those farmers can be better educated on the effects of burning of fields that destroy the infiltration process into the ground. Third, the aquaponic system provides solutions to the agricultural challenges posed by water insecurity. Not only does it use less than 10% of water compared to traditional agriculture, it can be easily constructed anywhere at any scale. This could help reduce the water stress while increasing local agricultural production for the increase tourism that will demand more food, decreasing the reliance on imported food.

 

Other points that have struck me other than the agriculture is the funding of water supply and the distribution process. The fact that WASA is heavily subsidized and charges very little for the water does not encourage conservation from the served population. The only metered water are from the hotels which have applied water conservation measures. Should there be an increase in rates for water, it should not be at such a drastic level resulting in where the poor cannot sustain their livelihoods because they are still left with a water insecurity issue where they cannot access water because of cost. What is left are heavy industries that use water flat rate and get to release it back into not cleaned or filtered. This struck me as we passed the asphalt quarry on the way up the Hillsborough Dam in Tobago. If the heavy industries are also metered for their water and additionally incorporated a PES system where by the water coming back out should meet the WHO guidelines, that could also keep the industries in check and also provide more funding for supporting the water infrastructures.

 

However, aside from these issues, a further challenge currently is communication between the different branches of the Department of Natural Resource, Forestry Management sector, WASA and the “think tanks” at UWI. The lack of communication is evident in the previous day’s journal where there are disputed facts of food production and the meeting of WASA and Forestry Management representatives. Having these actors on a same level could encourage a much better water security policy where there will be additional funding and also better governance of the water supply.

 

Having taken this trip, my speculations written in the first journal were inaccurate. The biggest one being the lack of government funding resulting in poor management. Infact, WASA is heavily funded by the government and they do have a strictly regulated policy on water quality, distribution, and management. The management included the scheduling of water supply during the dry season so that the reservoirs do not run out and the groundwater does not acidify. However, complete access to everyone 24/7 supply is still to be achieved. Industries not being checked for compliance was also inaccurate as there is no compliance from them or as far as the research has gone. Free polluting water flows down the river without any barrier or attempt to treat the water. To conclude, this trip has an insightful journey into water security and issues that affect different actors, policy decisions, governance and management. 
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Feb 21 – Tobago – Tourism Association

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Feb 21 – Day 5 – Tobago – Tourism Association
 
A hotel in Tobago

Talking with Christopher at the Tourism association, we learnt that there is “no” water issue because hotels get the priority from WASA and so they don’t “feel” the lack of water supply running through  the country. This is one point of view compared to the other visits we have had where the others have been saying there is a security issue. However, Christopher is still an advocate of water conservation. Some measures implemented are more efficient shower heads, adopting farmers who grow food for the restaurant and WASA has been metering the water on the hotels.

Water metering helps hotels see how much water is being consumed as the cost is reflective of that. The more expensive the water, the more conservation will happen. Currently, it’s only hotels that do the metered water, not individuals. This is inline with Simon from the previous day talking about metering water. This will help with the funding of clean water supply as mentioned in yesterday’s journal, there has not been enough to address the funding shortfall. WASA currently runs at a loss and needs to increase the rates and meter the water to help alleviate the government subsidies. However, this needs to be done in accordance of ratio to the income of the population, as some might not be able to afford basic water and would put a strain onto their livelihoods. Metering hotels and large industries while putting a PES in place would help distribute who-gets-billed-more more equally.
Pigeon Point Resort

As villas and hotels are built, roads are built with water supply and pipes underneath them. The risk is that this prevents rainfall absorption to replenish the aquifers when there are more villas and hotels built. And when the pipes burst, they have to dig up the entire road causing a lot of economical challenges in which they cannot afford. This is inline with the discussions with the Compliance Officer at Navet Dam with water not accounted for because there are leaks in the system.

This also perpetuates the water insecurity issue as we have noted on one of the first days with the discussion of increased tourism at UWI. This increase demands more agricultural production, which creates more water stress. It is struck with lack of water replenishment because of the new roads creating a barrier to infiltration creating a shortage on water. However with Christopher at the the Forestry Management, he has noted that there has been a decrease in food production and an increase in food imports. This discrepancy of facts shows the inconsistency between the institutions that study or enforce sustainable water practices, as Christopher had mentioned there is lack of communication between all.
 

My students work and my current life

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Focus Group Discussion with community members

In the shade, under a huge tree of an unknown name (to me atleast), in the courtyard of a school in Paje, Zanzibar, Tanzania, my students begin their practice community assessment. On my side of things, it was a bit of a scramble to coordinate the placements with my Program Director between the students local NGO partner (ZANGOC) and the community leaders.

“Karibuni, you are most welcome to your village. Please come follow. Very welcome” The Sheha (village elder) lead Christine, my partner in crime volunteer buddy, and me to the court yard where the meeting will take place. All the village representatives were there from each part of the village.
“What do you do?” I get asked a lot these days.
In short, I’m in an vulnerable country teaching students about grant proposal writing while coordinating their practicums in different communities on Zanzibar. This will eventually give them the life skills in community assessment and community empowerment. This helps to alleviate and improve several different aspects of their lives in the community. I guess that’s not very short.
Member voicing their concerns

In a larger spectrum of things, my students are taught to solve community issues in their village or a larger town. Usually problems fall under the UN Millennium Development Goals. They are taught:

1) Assess a community for problems: This means gathering data, talking to community leaders, and different stake holders. Problems can go from access clean drinking water to uncontrolled dumping of garbage to accessing under-equipped medical facilities. This is currently where my students are, in the community assessing process.
2) Analyze their data that is collected: They find the most pressing problem in the community and set about a way to solve it.
3) Create a solution for the problem: This can take days, months, and years even to find a solution. And it could continuously evolve when new technology comes out. In the case of energy, finding solar panels as a solution. That technology changes rapidly. Or accessing potable water on Zanzi, they could use a solar de-salinator that can be easily built with pottery. Finding simple solutions with localized industries can take time to research and even more so to implement
4) Create a grant proposal: For funding should it be required, which most projects will. A successful grant proposal usually serves a the blueprint of how the project will be carried out. These are the classes that I taught before they went out to the community.
 
5) Implement the project: If the funding is successful, it would be hopeful that they themselves could implement the project. Not necessarily the case all the time though, although it would be advisable.
My students taking notes from the community members concerns

These are the things that I’m dealing with in Zanzibar. Obviously that procedure isn’t in complete detail, but it’s just to give an idea of what my volunteer job is.

For the next few days, I’ll be going to different communities that my students are sent to and checking up on how they’re doing. A few of my students are also placed in different NGO’s to work on issues they are interested in, which includes malaria, street kids, child marriages, clean water supply, etc.
Oh, woe is me. Time to tackle the worlds problems!

I was sent to volunteer in Africa…

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My students at it again!
  • Malaria
  • Women empowerment
  • HIV/Aids
  • Child marriage
  • Street kids
  • Corruption in government
  • Drug abuse

Encompasses a small list of what my students are interested about. Their average age is mid twenties and they’re all interested in tackling issues of this size. They want to volunteer at their placements and on top of that, observe other class members who have gone into at-risk communities to do their research on community assessments to identify problems and try to find solutions for those communities.

To complete a year long course of “Emerging Leaders” program, they are to complete 2 grant proposals from the research they have done from the previous course in how to assess communities. They find the weakest links of the communities and address those issues. As part of this, I have given them the opportunity to also be placed in another NGO that best matches their interests and to begin working on the issues at hand.

Not one friend I know back home actively pursue the interests of these likes, of course each their own, but the idea of contributing time to make real changes in the world, especially with all the harsh criticism that’s vocalized almost everyday and spewing onto Facebook.

The only thing I see back home are people complaining about what’s wrong with the world. Few take charge to write to their MP’s. Even fewer still goes out to protests. And still, even less – and at this point I’m scratching the bottom of the barrel to say anyone I know – goes out to volunteer time, effort and commitment to try and change anything that they’ve complained passionately about in hot debates while we were hanging out.

Working away!

Why do I feel like we carry this huge misconception in the “West” that everyone else in the world are lazy if they’re not “rich.” It seems the “West” is even lazier and all we know how to do is complain.

It’s not that the people in the country doesn’t want change. Everyone I’ve come across are adamant about it. They want change in the biggest way.

Even more so in the less developed world. I see the most enthusiasm for change here than at home. In fact, they are working toward it starting with the community level. Changes there influence key decision makers that eventually gather momentum. Most approaches and methods include contacting politicians and key decision makers to accomplish change.

I was not prepared for the amount of enthusiasm and energy my students want this change. They crave it. They are so hungry to do something about it. They are so motivated to make the world a better place. If we soak up even just 1% of their motivation and apply it to ourselves in Canada, the impact from that would ripples a thousand times and create change in the direction that all Canadians want.

My students are doing it, how are we as a more “developed” country so far behind?

If there’s something in life worth doing, it’s worth over doing.

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Workshops in Tanzania

4 hours of sleep on Sunday, two nights, 3 days later with a 17 hours trip in Cairo washing my pant leg clean from horse dung, I found myself in a car screeching to a halt in the gridlock that was Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania having not slept since that Sunday. Another two days I get the full report of what I was doing.

In short, I am “to help the students find problems in the community and fix them” Said Stella, the regional director for YCI, the NGO I’m working with.

Or more indepth, I am to support Emerging Leaders (project) to link the problems identified during community mapping visits into project identification techniques and support Emerging Leaders to organize their ideas of  the problems identified in designing a project, and  discuss with them tips on project implementation, monitoring and evaluation. In more academia terms, increase the capacity of the community by strengthening their self-efficacy.


I gave a blank stare to Stella.

The youth have already gone through several months of skills development including leadership skills, community mapping, and other skills development, with other volunteers previous. Then I come in to finish up the curriculum by having them finally carry out their task by approaching community leaders, partnerships, other NGO’s and community members. This is daunting.

“So, this sounds like something I should be already an expert in!” I cried. My heart sunk as I have no training in this field!

As I start to learn more about what needs to be done and what the youth need to develop, the more my confidence began to grow. There are things I haven’t done before, like train a group of youth to ask for funding. I haven’t even done that! My fundraiser isn’t going so well, I think I have a lot to learn from them about that!

But then there are things I’ve done, such as giving classes. English classes. But this time the theme is proposal writing for funding and grants. Computer classes on how to turn on the machine and turn on a word processor. Life skills that we otherwise overlook in our daily lives.

All these projects are recommended by the UN Millennium Development Goals, given to Canadian Development Agency to different NGO’s to achieve goals by 2015.

Well, sink or swim time! Roll up my sleeves and dive in. This will be the funnest project I have given myself since scaling a mountain in Nepal. This is what I set out to do, it’s time to do it.

One of my more favourite quotes that I’ve been reciting these days:
“If there’s something in life worth doing, it’s worth over doing”

Skiing in the desert

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Atlantic Ocean in the horizon

“I will take you to my world record sand dune, Ian. It’s bigger than ‘The Matterhorn Dune.” Henrik exclaimed excitedly.

I was already huffing and puffing up the sand dune in ski boots with skis on my back. The sand found its way in the ski boots and bore two nice holes in my shins.

“Let’s do it!” I cried.

I’m in Namibia looking to get my skiing fix. It just so happens I was in Swakopmund where Henrik’s office is based. I couldn’t tell you where I saw an ad for his place, but it was from the corner of my eye. I Googled “skiing in Namibia” and he was the first hit that pops up.

Henrik holds the world record for the fastest time skiing on sand, clocked at 92.15 km/h. Henrik worked over ten years developping his special wax formula specially suited for skiing on sand. It’s hard for him to hold back his excitement when he talks about the technical aspects of skiing.

Henrik at the top of Matterhorn Dune

From modest beginnings in East Berlin before the wall fell, his amazing story took him from competing in ski jumping into Namibia. After a life threatening accident, he climbed onto his skiis to set the world record and make a name for himself.

Sand skiing, especially in Namibia, is the most surreal thing ever. Being an avid skier, I was craving to get myself back on the slopes, but where to go except that giant pile of sand in the desert? When I climbed up to the top of Matterhorn dune to do a few runs, you could see right across the desert. And the Atlantic Coast line. It was the most bizaare site ever. It’s like I was skiing in the world’s biggest beach, as Namibia’s desert ends right at the ocean.

Our camp for the day

His adventure lead us well into darkness, when the sand is at the optimal condition for skiing on because the wax required cool air, not because it was light sensitive. The last run I end up doing was on his dune that he set his world record on, under the stars, under the moon, no winds and next to the ocean.

Perfect conditions.

To find out more about Henrik and skiing in Namibia, check out http://www.ski-namibia.com/

Everest Trek – Day 15

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The guides, minus 1, Won

Day 15 – Retreat to Dingbuche

After the longest approaching of our lives; 12 days hike, of which 4 days was for acclimatization, and 8 hours of actual approach to the top of Lobuche, we begin the journey downwards. For the past 5 days We lived at no less than 4,900 meters.

A solid night sleep at base camp, we naturally wake up at 6am. As breakfast was prepared we suffer our last bit of AMS and pack our packs. We are to carry our 20kg packs all the way down to Lukla where our flight awaits us back to Kathmandu.

We were told we can lighten our loads and give our climbing gear to the porters who’ll leave the gear in Lukla for us to repack. We were not going to deny that.

Shortly after, we start our first of lasts. Starting with base camp. 2.5 hours later, we descended to 4,600 meters, the lowest altitude we’ve been in in over 5 days, at Dingbuche. Our AMS instantly completely over. And we feel strong with our breathing.

We remember reaching this altitude the first time suffering our first serious symptoms of AMS. Now we cheer at the fact we have reached this altitude again and getting rid of AMS.

An overwhelming sadness flooded us as we realize this is the beginning of the end. The climax of Lobuche peak is over and before s the long sad journey back down. But to new and exciting adventures back home in South Africa!

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