Thusday November 25th 2010

Hi Folks,

After only a few weeks of intense planning, the community awareness has risen. Elmarie van der Merwe did an incredible job of planning and implementing the programme as well as organizing the schools competition. She also put together a mini exhibition on the causes of water pollution as well as the conservation of water. Nikki enlightened the children about importance and the function of waste water and clean water treatment plants.

There was some stiff competition but the judges unanimously chose Nkosingiphile Makhubela, a grade 3 pupil from Phembindlela Primary School. Second prize went to Amanda Nhlapho, a grade 7 pupil from Amersfoort Primary. Third place went to Londiwe Nsuntsha of Gunwana. Two of the essays were written in English and one in Zulu. These students come from extremely underprivileged families and were tremendously appreciative of their winnings. The school of the winning student received ZAR 15,000 to help them improve their facilities.

We are busy with completing the business plan and other paperwork, as well as we have to prepare the presentation for tomorrow.


Mark and Christophe have been getting the Training Manual finalised. Christophe went with Marcel to Amersfoort and Volksrust to upload some software into the PLC units. This has now completed their activities. Christophe has also been busy reformatting the documents and getting things printed out ready for the meeting.

Nikki has finished the design documents and now everything is printed out.

Marcel has been trying to sort out the web based communications, but unfortunately we still don't have them! His mood is not great but we reached the stage to believe that it will be okay, we can do little more now.

The good news is that the guys have managed to install wireless internet into the lodge where we are staying. There was a connection with internet before but it was not wireless. Christophe installed a router to make a wireless connection but it was a very weak signal in the main part of the lodge. So, the router that the lodge already owned was taken out and installed to help improve the signal strength. This worked really well and so they now have wireless internet in the main part of the lodge! This has helped us a lot and will help them too as they have a better system for business people.

 We are now pretty much ready for tomorrow and will have an early start to travel to Secunda. Our evening will exist of a nice dinner and of course with some drinks!