Running Water for Humjibre

Nana Kwadwo Twum II

The Summer Serve and Learn volunteers and myself recently had the privilege of meeting the Chief of Humjibre, Nana Kwadwo Twum II.  We filed into the palace led by GHEI Education Manager Enock ‘Happy’ Nkrumah, going around the room greeting and shaking hands with everyone in attendance.

The Chief’s main spokesman made a ceremonial prayer thanking God for bringing us together and asking for wisdom and guidance in our work.  As he prayed he poured out libations of Castlebridge gin on to the palace floor as an offering to their ancestors.

Next they passed around the bottle of gin, starting with the council of elders.  I noticed that most of the men were drinking about an ounce of the gin, pouring out the last drops, while others abstained and poured out their full servings.

The bottle worked its way around the room and soon I was offered my drink.  I knocked back my shot and managed to avoid wincing in front of my gracious hosts, pouring out the last drops.  Nothing like a shot of gin to start my morning!

We were informed that the Chief rarely addresses the assembly, usually communicating through his spokesman, but in a demonstration of his warmth towards his guests he spoke to us directly in his closing remarks.  He wished us God’s blessing in our work and welcomed us to his community.  He also ensured our safety in Humjibre, promising to protect us throughout the duration of our stay.

GHEI Country Director Clement Donkor then announced to the elders that the water borehole that GHEI had sponsored the construction of was now complete, and that we wished to formally hand the keys over to the Chief.  Together we walked to the site of the new borehole.

Previously people in Humjibre would use water pumps to collect their water, which is quite a laborious task.   Since most residents of Humjibre don’t have running water all the water for daily living had to be obtained in this way. This new borehole features four faucets fed through an elevated Polytank, making life that much easier for the surrounding community.

 

In the United States the average water used per person is between 250 and 300 litres of water (65 to 78 gallons) per day for drinking, cooking, bathing and watering their yard (Pacific Institute).  Imagine for a moment that you had to pump your entire daily water supply by hand, then transport it back to your home in a bucket carefully balanced on your head.  At those rates it would take more than one trip!

Before handing the keys to Nana Kwadwo Twum II we bowed our heads in prayer, asking for God’s blessing on the use of the taps and all those they will serve, followed by the pouring of more libations on the ground.  The faucets were turned and each of us cupped our hands under the brisk running water, splashing our faces to cool off under the blazing sun.  I took a big sip of water, which I had been craving since my swig of gin.

GHEI Country Director Clement Donkor hands over the keys to the borehole to Nana Kwadwo Twum II

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